Ferrari owners issue internal ‘directive’ to sign Kimi Antonelli ‘as quickly as possible’

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Ferrari are determined to sign Kimi Antonelli after the Italian driver emerged as the sport’s next superstar, according to a report.

Antonelli won his fourth consecutive Grand Prix in Canada on Sunday. While 15 other drivers have achieved that feat, none did it in the immediate aftermath of their first victory.

The Mercedes driver now leads the standings by 43 points, making him the strong favourite to become F1’s first-ever teenage champion.

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Ferrari will do ‘everything in their power’ to recruit Kimi Antonelli

Links between Antonelli and Ferrari are inevitable given his nationality and increasing profile. But according to sport.de, it’s more than just speculation.

The team’s ownership have issued a ‘clear directive’ internally to bring Antonelli to Maranello. They want the deal done ‘as quickly as possible’ and will do ‘everything in their power’ to make it happen.

Chairman John Elkann has been set a ‘major task’, and work is already underway. However, Toto Wolff will be ‘damned’ if he lets a seemingly generational talent out of his contract.

Mercedes haven’t specified the exact length of the deal, but Antonelli’s agreement is ‘long-term’, which likely puts Wolff in control.

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Lewis Hamilton is under contract at Ferrari until the end of 2027, and it’s still unclear whether he will be offered a new deal. He also has to decide whether he wants to continue in F1.

Ferrari are unlikely to have any desire to part with Charles Leclerc, but the Monegasque’s camp could seek a move away if they feel a championship is unrealistic in their current surroundings.

The last Italian driver to race for Ferrari was Giancarlo Fisichella, who stepped in for an injured Felipe Massa during the 2009 season. In terms of full-time signings, one has to go back to the 1992 season and Ivan Capelli.

• READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli is ‘lucky’ he didn’t join Ferrari because they would have ‘eaten him up’ already

Antonelli is already the fifth most successful driver from his country when it comes to race wins and is looking to become their first champion since the 1950s.

Ferrari lost out on Antonelli when he was in karting and may now regret snubbing him. Their team boss at the time, Maurizio Arrivabene, felt he was too small to make it at the highest level.