Ferrari rejected Antonelli when he was younger, according to his father.

      Kimi Antonelli’s father has disclosed how Ferrari lost the opportunity to sign Italy’s emerging Formula 1 talent long before his rise to fame. With increasing excitement in Italy following the 19-year-old's victory from pole position in Shanghai, and assertions from Luca di Montezemolo and others that Ferrari should have secured him, the narrative of how Antonelli ended up with Mercedes is becoming clearer.

      "Kimi was invited to Ferrari as a promising karting talent, discovered by Massimo Rivola," his father, Marco Antonelli, shared with Formula Passion. "He was just 11 years old and even tested the simulator in Maranello—the same one used for the academy’s students. Everything was set. However, Maurizio Arrivabene, who was the head of the racing department at the time, believed my child was still too young. A few months later, Mercedes reached out to us, and the rest is history."

      Antonelli himself has acknowledged the early engagement with Ferrari but emphasized his current loyalty. "I don't wish to overshadow any legends. Ferrari is Ferrari, and that will always be the case," he stated. "I appreciate the affection the Tifosi have for me. However, I believe the fans in Italy will also be happy to learn that I've found my family at Mercedes. After all, they were the ones who selected me and invited me to join them when I was just a teenager, providing the support needed for my growth and development."

      Supporting his father's account, Kimi added, "I had interactions with Ferrari. But I was still quite young at that time—around 10 or 11 years old. Nevertheless, Mercedes was very interested in me and seized the opportunity. Toto Wolff reached out to us at the end of 2017 and expressed their desire to include me in their youth program. I'm very thankful for that opportunity."

      Wolff, for his part, asserts he never questioned the decision to promote Antonelli quickly, even amidst criticism last year regarding the young driver’s readiness. "I've been part of this environment for many years, and there's always some criticism," the Mercedes chief told La Gazzetta dello Sport. "Often, it comes from those who lack complete information. There aren't many drivers who can win everything right from karting like Kimi. I’ve witnessed his development firsthand, so I never viewed the decision to bring him straight to Mercedes as a risk. The only concern with young drivers is whether they can handle the pressure of Formula 1, but Antonelli has consistently had an excellent support system and a strong family around him. We aim to nurture him in a successful environment, and his parents are well-versed in motorsport, capable of providing sound advice."

      Wolff also recognized the importance of Antonelli’s early success for Italy, stating, "I knew Italy had been lacking a top-tier victory for a long time. Now, a driver has emerged who is also a bit of a rock star, possessing important values and a great character. That’s all that is needed for success. However, we should avoid placing excessive pressure on Kimi at this point."