Former Ferrari bosses in Italy have famous how Andrea Kimi Antonelli would swimsuit the well-known F1 crew.
Lewis Hamilton turned the newest blockbuster driver signing for Ferrari this 12 months, even when his period with essentially the most profitable crew in System 1 historical past has been difficult.
Mercedes positioned their religion in Antonelli, the gifted teenager from Italy, as a rookie alternative for Hamilton.
Antonelli is sixth within the F1 standings after 4 rounds, behind each McLaren drivers, Max Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc. However he’s one place forward of Hamilton.
His thrilling driving model has caught the attention in his homeland, the place it has been intriguingly famous that he would make an eye catching Ferrari driver.
“Antonelli is a first-rate driver, I am solely sorry to see him in Mercedes,” stated Luca di Montezemolo, who was Ferrari president throughout Michael Schumacher’s prime, to Sky Italy.
“If I might have taken him? At 18 possibly not, however a few years in Sauber after which…”
Stefano Domenicali, one other former Ferrari boss who’s now the System 1 CEO, additionally observed Antonelli’s suitability for the long-lasting pink automobile.
He advised Sky Italy: “Kimi in Ferrari? An Italian driver with an Italian automobile…
“There’s a want for a driver who, particularly in as we speak’s world, represents a reference determine for the world of youth.
“So that may be very nice, however I believe Toto Wolff does not agree a lot proper now.” Domenicali added about Antonelli: “We have now to make him develop, he’s a rare man.
“Seeing him enter the paddock along with his household and little sister hand in hand offers us a romantic dimension of the game, then when he pulls down the visor he goes robust.
“Earlier than equating him with some champions, I believe it’s proper to attend, however the certainty is that he’ll grow to be a protagonist of our world.”
Ferrari ‘very near profitable’
Charles Leclerc
Ferrari head to this weekend’s F1 Saudi Arabian Grand Prix already below stress to show round a below-par begin.
Leclerc and Hamilton have been fourth and fifth final weekend in Bahrain, their greatest results of the season up to now, however beneath pre-season desires.
Leclerc, who bemoaned his automobile’s lack of tempo in Bahrain, was unable to foretell when Ferrari would uncover extra efficiency.
However Domenicali has a much more optimistic view.
“I see a Ferrari that may be very near those that are profitable,” the F1 CEO stated.
“The one recommendation I may give to Fred Vasseur is to proceed working together with your head down with out feeling the load of a stress that’s pure for individuals who maintain that place.
“I’m satisfied that we’ll quickly see Ferrari win once more this 12 months.”
Domenicali stated about Hamilton at Ferrari: “It is a rare sporting problem.
“Profitable instantly will not be trivial. I imagine that his tenacity and energy is to imagine and develop along with the crew”.
