Will Mercedes allow a genuine title race between Antonelli and Russell? – Last time out in China, Formula One broke a twenty year drought in that the Italian national anthem was blaring out for a winning driver. It had been two decades since Giancarlo Fisichella took on the top step of the podium for Renault after the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix.
It was the year Fernando Alonso was to win the second of his back to back drivers’ titles. The Spaniard was just twenty four years of age at the time and the executive in charge of Ferrari was a certain Luce De Montezemolo. The Scuderia had been dominant for six long years from 1999-2004 as Montezemolo had built a winning machine in the recruitment of Jean Todt, Ross Brawn and Michael Schumacher.
Ex-Ferrari president admits Antonelli Ferrari debut would “have destroyed him”
Yet in that time no, Italian had even raced for Ferrari with Michele Alboreto being the last Italian to win for his national team way back in 1985. Speaking about Antonelli’s will in China, Motezemolo is brimming with pride. “His victory moved me; he’s a 19-year-old who’s constantly improving,” he tells Italian publication Corriere della Sera.
“He’d had trouble starting, yet he didn’t lose heart: he took the lead and led without hesitation, only taking risks at the end. He showed maturity and composure, uncharacteristic of an Italian, and especially not of someone his age. He has his feet on the ground, and I hope he stays that way; all the potential is there.
“But it was a little annoying to see him in a Mercedes,” Monezemolo concludes although he admits, “putting him in Ferrari would have meant destroying him.” For now Kimi is a Mercedes driver but the chances of him racing in red one day must be strong.
The question for Kimi is whether he will Geta fair crack at the whip this season to win the drivers F1 championship, and it looks for now he’s just one of two contenders for the honour. There were mitigating factors in China which played into Antonelli’s favour as team mate George Russell book his front wing in the second qualifying session. Then as Russell exited the pits to start Q3, his car slowed to a standstill.
Kimi was not gifted his Chine victory
Whilst George managed to limp it back to the pit lane, it meant he had just one run to pip his team mate to poll. He failed by 0.23 seconds and Kimi claimed the first Grand Prix pole position of his career.
At the start of the race, the fast starting Ferrari’s were again ahead of the Mercedes duo. Yet Antonelli picked off Hamilton relatively quickly and built a 6-8 second lead whilst his team mate was bogged down battling with the Ferrari pair. Even so, Antonelli was a worthy winner, but questions are being asked as to whether he can best his team mate over the course of a season.
Ex-Haas team boss Günther Steiner believes whilst Antonelli is a great talent he is not yet capable of beating George Russell over the course of a season – now 22 races. Speaking to the Red Flags Podcast Steiner adamant: “If something special happens, like it happened in China in qualifying. And the good thing is he took it there, but under normal circumstances… I think it is also understandable why not.
“The kid is 19 years old, second year in Formula 1, and George is a good race car driver. So I don’t think he can do it this year, but there are other opportunities for Kimi. If he doesn’t win it this year, he can win it another time because he’s so young. For me, he doesn’t have to put too much pressure on himself to win it this year. He has got a good future in front of him.”
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Russell’s record in Japan is not great
It could be argued that Russell was indeed fortunate in. China. His failing Mercedes power train was revived, whilst those in the McLaren cars refused to fire up. There will be other chances for Antonelli where his team maybe is compromised, the question is will he be allowed to beat George Russell over the course of a season.
Toto Wolff spoke at length about Antonelli in the wake of his maiden F1 win and at times gave the impression he was dismissing all hopes of an Antonelli title in 2026 out of hand. Yet there are circuits where George has not performed particularly well, including the upcoming track in Suzuka.
Russell has a best finish in Japan of P5 and his average finishing position at the iconic figure of eight circuit is 8.6. Whether Antonelli can build on his China victory as a platform to a title chase remains to be seen, although Toto Wolff will have a lot to say on whether that happens or not.
When asked about Kimi’s dream result, the Mercedes boss reminded the questioner Antonelli is “still a kid,” predicting more mistakes this season from the young Italian. “You know, in this sport that we live in it is manic depressive. Today, it’s great. In two weeks, we are in Japan, and he puts it in the wall, and people say he is too young. So I think we need to just keep the feet on the ground,” advised the Mercedes boss.
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Wolff suggests it maybe George’s turn
Wolff went on to speak about Kimi’s “warmth of character” and how he can carry the room and his mechanics are 100% with him. However, this openness is something which Mercedes must protect at times as Wolff realises, “we also need to shield him from that. Because people take advantage, because he really struggles to say no. And now, he needs to learn how to say no, because there’s going to be so much interest and so much ‘time thieves’ that will come up and affect his career.”
Toto went on to highlight the hysteria in Italy over their new F1 protege. “I see already the headlines, ‘World champion’, ‘Grande Kimi’, and whatever. And that’s really not good. Because those mistakes are going to come. He’s just a kid. So it’s too early to even think about a championship.”
The Mercedes boss closed by reminding those listening that Antonelli “has a fantastic driver as a team-mate, who is eight years longer in the sport.” Is that the answer to the question right there? For Mercedes George has served his time and deserves an F1 title, whilst for Kimi ‘time is on his side’ and one will inevitably come someday?
Another sporting maxim is “if you’re good enough, your’ old enough.” It appears Kimi must put away the conversations over how old he is and demonstrate he can beat George Russell – whatever the age gap.
NEXT ARTICLE: Why the Audi’s F1 team boss departure appears strange
Last Updated on March 22 2026, 11:23 am
After brief rumours that Audi’s F1 team principal washing considered as a candidate to replace Adrian Newey at Aston Martin, the German brand have acted swiftly and decisively to control the narrative.
A brief emergency boarding meeting was called on Friday resulted in the announcement that Wheatley would be leaving the team with immediate effect. There is of course no news on his gardening leave as yet, although Audi will be within their rights to hold their ex-team principal to a period of around 18 months before he can return to F1.
Wheatley left his Red Bull home where he had worked for eighteen years leaving the role of sporting director to take up the challenge at Sauber – soon to be Audi. The fact that over his tenure in Milton Keynes, Red Bull were regularly the best organised teams in terms of pit stop proficiency was something he brought to the Sauber then. Audi team who were previously shambolic….. CONTINUE READING
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