Former Ferrari bosses in Italy have famous how Andrea Kimi Antonelli would go well with the well-known F1 staff.
Lewis Hamilton grew to become the newest blockbuster driver signing for Ferrari this yr, even when his period with essentially the most profitable staff in Method 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 type 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’d 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 Method 1 CEO, additionally observed Antonelli’s suitability for the long-lasting crimson automotive.
He instructed Sky Italy: “Kimi in Ferrari? An Italian driver with an Italian automotive…
“There’s a want for a driver who, particularly in at present’s world, represents a reference determine for the world of youth.
“So that might be very nice, however I believe Toto Wolff would not agree a lot proper now.” Domenicali added about Antonelli: “Now we have to make him develop, he’s a unprecedented man.
“Seeing him enter the paddock together with his household and little sister hand in hand provides us a romantic dimension of the game, then when he pulls down the visor he goes sturdy.
“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 successful’
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 had been fourth and fifth final weekend in Bahrain, their greatest results of the season thus far, however under pre-season desires.
Leclerc, who bemoaned his automotive’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 could be very near those that are successful,” the F1 CEO stated.
“The one recommendation I can provide to Fred Vasseur is to proceed working along with your head down with out feeling the load of a stress that’s pure for many who maintain that place.
“I’m satisfied that we’ll quickly see Ferrari win once more this yr.”
Domenicali stated about Hamilton at Ferrari: “It is a unprecedented sporting problem.
“Profitable instantly isn’t trivial. I imagine that his tenacity and energy is to imagine and develop along with the staff”.
