According to Ralf Schumacher, a move by Kimi Antonelli to Ferrari isn’t imminent, but it will happen at some point in his career
For the foreseeable future, Kimi Antonelli will likely race for Mercedes in Formula 1. But expert Ralf Schumacher can well imagine that the current championship leader will eventually switch to Ferrari later in his career.
In Sky’s “Backstage Boxengasse” podcast, he explains: “If Kimi continues his career the way he is now, and everything works out as it looks at the moment—with nothing getting in the way—then Kimi will eventually be driving a Ferrari.”
As an Italian, Antonelli in a Ferrari would be the dream of many Tifosi. “But of course, that also assumes the team continues as it is now,” Schumacher adds. After all, such a move would ultimately have to make sense for Antonelli from a sporting perspective as well.
Therefore, according to Schumacher, it’s up to Ferrari to provide Antonelli with a car in the future that will allow him to win races and championships. But such a scenario is likely still many years away, as there’s currently no reason for the championship leader to leave Mercedes.
Furthermore, both Ferrari seats are currently filled. Charles Leclerc recently extended his contract with the Scuderia through 2028, and Lewis Hamilton has also already made it clear that he intends to drive for the Italians even longer.
“The next in line—and we mustn’t forget that—will probably be [Oliver] Bearman for the time being,” Schumacher adds. The Haas driver and Ferrari junior is considered a potential successor to Hamilton should the latter retire in the coming years.
Nevertheless, Schumacher suspects that Antonelli won’t wait until he’s 40 to move to Ferrari, as was the case with Hamilton. “No, I don’t think so. He started way too young for that,” says the six-time Grand Prix winner.
Mercedes brought Antonelli into Formula 1 in 2025 at the age of just 18. Ahead of his home race at Monza this year, the now 20-year-old leads the World Championship with a 59-point lead over Hamilton and his teammate George Russell.