Kimi Antonelli winning the Italian Grand Prix would have a huge impact on Italy, as the Mercedes driver carries a genuine Formula 1 title challenge into Monza, a contender for a long overdue home win by a driver from the country.
Antonelli has rapidly become one of Italian motorsport’s biggest figures, with Patrese convinced his rise has even changed traditional loyalties among younger fans.
The former Grand Prix winner said: “Kimi Antonelli being the first Italian to win at Monza since 1966 would be a wonderful thing. Other Italians have tried, like Michele Alboreto and even me, and we never won! It would be fantastic for the country.
“Kimi is very, very popular in Italy but also very surprised because he has done so well so quickly. Nobody expected to have an Italian driver at such a young age competing for the championship.”
Patrese believes Antonelli is beginning to challenge Ferrari’s historic grip on Italian Formula 1 support: “The fans in Italy are divided between Antonelli fans and Ferrari fans! It has been so long since Ferrari were winning that the young fans in Italy support Kimi rather than Ferrari. The new generation are very pro Antonelli.”
Antonelli very big in Italy
Patrese pointed out: “He is already a big name but not everyone recognises him yet. Last year he was nobody and this year he is winning Grand Prix. If he wins the title his life will change a lot! Kimi is a very friendly and nice person.
“He is kind to everyone. Even Ferrari fans will be happy if Kimi wins in Monza. In my time it was all about Ferrari, nobody cared if I was winning or losing because it was all about Ferrari,” recalled the six time Grand Prix winner.
A Monza victory would require something exceptional. Mercedes expects Antonelli to start from the back after taking a new power unit, turning his home race into a recovery drive.
But Patrese’s wider point remains. Antonelli is no longer simply Italy’s brightest young prospect. He is fighting for this year’s World Championship, and success at Monza would make that rise impossible for the country to ignore.
(Source: Riccardo Patrese talking to Vision4Sport, Formula 1 Hospitality Packages specialists)