Domenicali calls it 'disrespectful' to compare Antonelli to F1 legends.

      "It’s unfair to him and disrespectful to the legends."

      Stefano Domenicali expressed that he would be "thrilled" if the young talent Kimi Antonelli became world champion, while also voicing concerns about the excessive hype surrounding the 19-year-old Italian, as the Formula 1 chief acknowledged. Antonelli’s impressive start to 2026 has already led to comparisons with tennis world number one Jannik Sinner in Italy, while Toto Wolff recently cautioned against the risks of constructing "a castle of expectations" around the Mercedes driver prematurely. In a conversation with veteran Italian journalist Leo Turrini, Domenicali emphasized the need for caution. "Kimi shouldn’t be compared to any of the greats of the past," he stated. "It’s unfair to him and disrespectful to the legends of motorsport." "I’ve known them all, from Senna to Schumacher, from Raikkonen to Alonso, all the way to Hamilton and Verstappen," he added. "Each has left an indelible mark on F1." Nevertheless, the former Ferrari team principal acknowledged that Antonelli is already demonstrating remarkable qualities. "Beyond his natural instinct for speed, what stands out about Antonelli is how quickly he learns from his mistakes," Domenicali remarked. "It’s fitting that so many Italians compare him to Sinner, acknowledging the emotions he evokes." Then, briefly stepping away from his neutral executive position, Domenicali revealed where his sentiments would lie if Antonelli achieved a remarkable title victory. "Given my role, I can’t say that," he smiled. "But I’ll say it - if he won the world championship, I’d be thrilled." "We speak the same dialect; he could be my son." Domenicali also reflected on Ferrari, the team he previously led, in light of yet another challenging title pursuit for the Maranello outfit. "When I was team principal at Maranello, we lost three drivers’ titles in 2008, 2010, and 2012, by a handful of points," he shared. "You once wrote that if we’d won them, my story and that of the Prancing Horse would have changed, and maybe that’s true, but it doesn’t matter." Despite increased recent momentum from McLaren and Red Bull, Ferrari remains competitive in the 2026 season, with Mercedes continuing to lead. "Right now, it seems to me that the Reds need consistency to reach their goal," Domenicali noted. "Moreover, I’m personally convinced that this championship is still open - McLaren is back, and so is Verstappen." "If Ferrari were to win a race between now and the end of June, the outlook would shift - enthusiasm helps."