Lando Norris
McLaren
Mercedes
Red Bull
Ferrari
Williams
Racing Bulls
Aston Martin
Haas
Alpine
Stefano Domenicali says it is “disrespectful” to compare Andrea Kimi Antonelli to any of F1’s “greats”, as they all left a mark on the series that the Italian has yet to achieve.
Antonelli has often been the focus of claims that he is the next Max Verstappen throughout his fledgling career, while even regularly being compared to the likes of Lewis Hamilton and Ayrton Senna. He was also being lined up as Italy’s next great hope long before his F1 debut.
The Mercedes talent’s driving style offering similarities to Hamilton’s, along with his age, has largely been the reason why he merits such comparisons. Antonelli even broke F1 records as an 18-year-old rookie in 2025, and he has already continued to register new records in 2026.
Fill in the gap: Kimi Antonelli will win _ world championships in his career
Stefano Domenicali feels it’s unfair to Andrea Kimi Antonelli and F1’s ‘greats’ to compare them
Antonelli became the youngest driver to secure an F1 Grand Prix pole after taking his first in China in March, which he converted to even become the second-youngest race winner after Verstappen. He also became the youngest driver with a fastest lap in the 2025 Japanese GP.
READ MORE: The best moments of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s F1 career
But while Antonelli is also now the youngest person to lead the F1 drivers’ standings, as well as becoming the first driver in history to consecutively clinch their first three Grand Prix wins from their first three poles, Domenicali claims comparisons are unfair on him and F1’s icons.
F1 CEO Domenicali told Quotidiano Nazionale: “Kimi shouldn’t be compared to any of the greats of the past. It’s not fair on him, and it’s disrespectful to the legends of motor racing.
“I’ve known them all, from Senna to Schumi [Michael Schumacher], from [Kimi] Raikkonen to [Fernando] Alonso, right through to Hamilton and Verstappen. Each one has left an indelible mark on F1.
Kimi Antonelli is special, but is he a generational talent like Max Verstappen?
“What strikes me about Antonelli, apart from his natural instinct for speed, is the speed with which he learns from his mistakes. And it’s only right that so many Italians compare him to Sinner, recognising themselves in the emotions he generates.
“Given my role, I shouldn’t say this, but I’ll say it anyway: if he won the world championship, I’d be absolutely delighted. We speak the same dialect. He could be my son.”
Mercedes sensation Antonelli has previously admitted that he does not like being compared to Senna, despite the Brazilian being his idol, as he would rather be known for his own style and success. Like Domenicali, Toto Wolff has also stated that the comparisons will not help.
Antonelli was likened to Senna after his F1 debut in Australia in 2025, after he took his car to its limits while rising from P16 on the grid to finish P4. Antonelli reminded Martin Brundle of Schumacher in Australia this March, too, after he qualified P2 soon after a late crash in FP3.
The Bologna boy’s tender age, with Antonelli not turning 20 until this August, has also often inspired comparisons to Verstappen, who broke into F1 in 2015 at 17. Verstappen and Lance Stroll (then aged 18) are the only drivers to ever debut in F1 at a younger age than Antonelli.
Receive exclusive F1 news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
