Leo Turini: Kimi-mania is already starting in Italy

      Leo Turini, a well-known Italian journalist, is genuinely pleased that his country has gifted the world of motorsport a new rising star – Kimi Antonelli…

      Let’s do it this way: if you think Kimi Antonelli's successes are related to the fact that the 2026 regulations are somewhat strange (and that’s putting it mildly), as well as to Toto Wolff's tricks, then the enthusiasm is misplaced, and you’d better not read further.

      Because I think differently. As I often say, we should celebrate the victories of this compatriot of ours, who could very well be my relative. No Italian driver has managed to win two Grands Prix in a row since 1953 – this touching fact is impressive. The boy from Emilia, born roughly equidistant from Maranello and Imola, could become a world champion, and this prospect inspires me.

      And the trick that Mercedes has employed this season does not diminish Antonelli's talent at all. Did you see how he drove on the track in Suzuka? And even if we cheer for Ferrari, and Toto Wolff's team annoys us, that’s still no reason not to be happy for Kimi.

      Moreover, look around, and you will see that Kimi-mania is already starting in the country. I just hope this doesn’t create problems for him… In any case, we’ll live and see. Now, about the rest.

      The return of McLaren is an interesting phenomenon, especially since it happened thanks to Oscar Piastri, not Lando Norris.

      Ferrari needs to increase its power. But perhaps at least a small sign of improvements can be considered the fact that the wonderful Charles Leclerc did not allow the second Mercedes driver to reach the podium.

      Lewis Hamilton had both good and bad moments during the race, but to be honest, I think he was held back by Ferrari's "energy" problems.

      Pierre Gasly behind the wheel of the Alpine F1 car, managed by Flavio Briatore, made a great impression.

      But I worry about Max Verstappen: as you know, I consider him the best of all. To his angry fans, I want to remind them that in 2023, Red Bull Racing won all the races of the season except one. And a team that not long ago amazed everyone with its incredible power could not lose it all in just a couple of years.

      Oliver Berman scared everyone a lot, and his crash raises new doubts in the context of the current regulations. What happens during qualifying seems even more absurd than the races themselves. And in general, perhaps someone has forgotten that since the debut of DRS systems, almost all overtakes in Formula 1 have been mere imitations of overtakes.