2026 championship leader states that his goal is to win titles with Mercedes and highlights the support received from the team since the beginning of his career.
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Andrea Kimi Antonelli once again dismissed any speculation about a possible transfer to Ferrari in the future. During the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy award ceremony, held this week in Italy, the Mercedes driver reaffirmed his commitment to the German team and highlighted his gratitude for the support received throughout his career.
At 19 years old, Antonelli is experiencing the best moment of his career. The Italian became the youngest driver in history to lead the Formula 1 World Championship after winning the 2026 Japanese GP in Suzuka. Since then, he has extended his lead with victories in China, Miami, and Canada, establishing himself as the main name of the current season.
The driver was in Brisighella to receive the Lorenzo Bandini Trophy, an award created in 1992 in honor of the former Italian driver Lorenzo Bandini and intended for personalities who stand out in world motorsport.
During the event, Antonelli was questioned about rumors linking him to Ferrari, especially because he is one of the main Italian talents of the new generation. Despite recognizing the importance of the Scuderia, the driver made it clear that his priority is Mercedes.
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“Ferrari is a huge team, with an incredible fan base, and will remain forever in history. But I am a Mercedes driver and my goal is to win with Mercedes. They gave me a great opportunity from a very young age, supported me throughout my career, and I feel I have a duty to give my best for this team. After that, we will see,” he said.
The statement reinforces the strong bond between Antonelli and Mercedes. The Italian has been part of the team’s young driver program since the junior categories and was prepared for years to reach Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton’s successor.
The Lorenzo Bandini Trophy has already been awarded to some of the biggest names in the category, including David Coulthard, Jacques Villeneuve, Jenson Button, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, and Max Verstappen.
Now, Antonelli turns his attention to the Monaco GP, the sixth round of the 2026 Formula 1 season, from June 5 to 7. The driver leads the championship with 131 points, 43 ahead of his teammate, George Russell, who has 88.
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