Schumacher predicts Kimi Antonelli Ferrari move as Mercedes star emerges as Tifosi dream – Former Formula 1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes Kimi Antonelli could eventually leave Mercedes for Ferrari, with the Italian youngster potentially becoming a future favourite of the Tifosi at Monza.
Kimi Antonelli’s rapid rise at Mercedes has already made him one of the biggest names in Formula 1, but former F1 driver Ralf Schumacher believes the 20-year-old could eventually find himself wearing Ferrari red.
Schumacher, now a Sky expert, has predicted that Antonelli will ultimately make the switch to Scuderia Ferrari if his career continues on its current trajectory.
“If Kimi continues his career the way he is now, and everything works out as it currently seems, and nothing gets in the way, then Kimi will eventually be sitting in a Ferrari,” the 51-year-old said on the Backstage Pit Lane podcast.
“But that, of course, also presupposes that the team continues as it is now,” Schumacher added.
Schumacher sees Antonelli as perfect Ferrari fit
The prospect of Antonelli driving for Ferrari would be particularly significant given his Italian nationality and growing popularity among the Tifosi.
Schumacher believes the combination could create one of the most powerful driver-team connections in Formula 1, particularly if Antonelli were to arrive at Ferrari already established as a race winner and championship contender.
“If Kimi were to drive in red and win races, Monza would probably need to be renovated. He’s everyone’s darling, super likeable and reserved, the perfect racing driver, and Italian to boot. Him in a Ferrari would be an absolute dream.”
The Italian Grand Prix at Monza traditionally provides Ferrari with one of the most passionate atmospheres of the season. Antonelli’s presence in Ferrari colours could take that enthusiasm to another level.
However, Schumacher stressed that such a move remains some way into the future.
Antonelli unlikely to wait as long as Hamilton
“It’s still a long way off,” the former driver emphasized.
Antonelli’s age means there is potentially plenty of time for his career to develop before a Ferrari move becomes realistic. Schumacher also contrasted the situation with Lewis Hamilton’s switch from Mercedes to Ferrari.
Hamilton joined Ferrari at the age of 40 after spending the majority of his career with Mercedes.
Antonelli, by comparison, entered Formula 1 at a much younger age and has already established himself as a major part of Mercedes’ future plans.
“He started far too young for that,” Schumacher said when discussing the difference between Antonelli’s career timeline and Hamilton’s.
That makes any potential Ferrari move particularly difficult to predict. Mercedes will have a strong incentive to retain its young star if Antonelli continues to deliver at the front of the grid.
Oliver Bearman could be Ferrari’s next driver
Schumacher also believes Ferrari has another young driver waiting in the wings.
Before Antonelli becomes a potential Ferrari target, he expects Oliver Bearman to be next in line for a seat at the Scuderia. The British driver is currently competing for Haas while remaining part of Ferrari’s wider driver structure.
“The next one in line, and we mustn’t forget that, will probably be Bearman,” Schumacher predicted.
Bearman’s situation could become increasingly important if Ferrari eventually needs to replace one of its current drivers.
Charles Leclerc recently extended his Ferrari contract through 2028, while Hamilton has repeatedly indicated that he wants to remain with the Italian team beyond his initial agreement. Rumours have also linked Hamilton with a potential extension through 2028.
Ferrari seats make Antonelli prediction a long-term scenario
For Antonelli to arrive at Ferrari, the Scuderia would first have to create a vacancy.
That means Schumacher’s prediction should be viewed as a long-term scenario rather than an indication that a transfer is currently being negotiated.
The Italian Grand Prix could nevertheless provide an early glimpse of just how popular Antonelli already is with the Tifosi.
“As long as Ferrari is capable of competing for the World Championship, their own interests come first. But many Tifosi will already be in Monza because of Kimi Antonelli. Perhaps wearing a Ferrari cap and a Kimi shirt – to look to the future and hope. If Kimi wins in Monza, the place will be just as crazy as if Ferrari wins.”
For Ferrari, the dream scenario is obvious: an Italian driver winning at Monza in a Ferrari.
For now, however, Antonelli remains a Mercedes driver, while Bearman represents a more immediate potential Ferrari succession option. Schumacher’s prediction raises the intriguing possibility that the Tifosi may eventually get their ultimate homegrown star in red.
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