Kimi Antonelli winning is exactly what Italian Formula 1 fans needed after 20 year drought

Fisichella, now 53, was the last Italian before Antonelli to win an F1 race, taking victory for Renault in Malaysia 20 years ago. But rather than feeling displaced, he said Antonelli’s rise has been something to celebrate.

Speaking on Beyond The Grid podcast, Fisichella said: “I will say ‘finally!’ I'm happy about that because 20 years is too long. You know, the last Italian winner of a Grand Prix was myself 20 years ago, and now this year, with Kimi, this is done.”

Antonelli has transformed his standing in Formula 1 this season. After an inconsistent rookie campaign in 2025 with flashed of brilliance, he started 2026 with the speed and authority Mercedes had long believed was there.

His winning run began in China, before victories followed in Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco. Antonelli also took five pole positions in a row, winning his first three Grands Prix from pole and rapidly becoming the benchmark of the season.

Fisichella added: “And I'm really happy about what he's doing so far. He is so clever. He's so quick. And he won five races, five pole positions in a row. This is something amazing. I won three races in my life, in 231 Grands Prix. And he won already five races in just less than 30 races of his career. So, this is just great.”

Antonelli’s charge has not been without setbacks. Reliability issues damaged his races in Barcelona-Catalunya and Great Britain, while George Russell had the upper hand at the Austrian Grand Prix.

Those dropped points have tightened the title picture. Antonelli once held a 61-point advantage, but his lead over Russell has now been reduced to 25 points, effectively one race victory.

Even so, Fisichella believes Antonelli can become the youngest Formula 1 World Champion if he manages the pressure correctly, he said: “I think he's got a chance. He needs to think just race by race. Not taking too much pressure.

"Concentrate like he drove, in the last couple of races, and, and they can he can fight for the championship. I'm sure. Kimi, his face, he looks like a baby, but, when, when he closed the visor, a completely different, story," added the Italian motorsport veteran.

That contrast has become a defining part of Antonelli’s season. Still only at the start of his Formula 1 career, he has already moved from prodigy to championship leader under the brightest spotlight.

Fisichella also pointed to the difficult beginning Antonelli had in F1 machinery, including his first FP1 outing at Monza two years ago, he recalled: “The first [FP1] ever, he was in Monza two years ago and he crashed the car. So, it wasn't a good start.

“Last year, he was a bit up and down with some mistakes with not good performances. But I think this year, with the experience of last year, especially with a good car now – he is very confident and he's very comfortable in the car," observed Fisichella.

For Italy, Antonelli’s rise carries meaning beyond Mercedes. The country has Ferrari, Monza and the tifosi, but has waited decades for a genuine Italian World Championship contender.

The last Italian to win the Drivers’ Championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953. Fisichella knows exactly how long that shadow has stretched across Italian motorsport.

Asked whether Italy had missed having an Italian Grand Prix winner, Fisichella said: “Yeah, a lot. Not just a single race [winner], but also the World Championship [winner]. I don’t remember when, 70, 80 years? It’s too much!”

Antonelli has already ended one long wait. Now comes the harder part. With Russell closing in, Mercedes facing pressure from Ferrari and McLaren, and reliability still a concern, Antonelli’s title bid has entered a more demanding phase.

The speed is there. The records have already fallen. What comes next will show whether Italy’s new Formula 1 hope can turn a stunning breakthrough season into a championship-changing one.