Mercedes path eased pressure on Antonelli, says Chandhok
Karun Chandhok says Kimi Antonelli avoided the intense expectations that could have accompanied a Ferrari career after winning his home grand prix for Mercedes.
Kimi Antonelli’s decision to join Mercedes rather than Ferrari has reduced the pressure on the Italian driver, according to Sky Sports F1 commentator Karun Chandhok.
Chandhok said Ferrari’s profile and expectations could have created “unbelievable” pressure for an Italian driver. Antonelli’s father, Marco, has previously said he held discussions with Ferrari, but the team was unwilling to sign a driver so young.
Mercedes accepted that risk, signing Antonelli to its junior programme when he was 11. He later progressed to Formula 1 and replaced Lewis Hamilton at the team.
Antonelli has since won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza after starting 19th, beating Mercedes team-mate George Russell. He leads the 2026 Drivers’ Championship ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid.
Chandhok credited Mercedes with developing Antonelli as an all-round professional and said he hoped the driver would eventually race for Ferrari. That remains a possibility he presented as a personal hope, rather than a confirmed plan.
Sky Sports commentator David Croft described Antonelli as a “generational talent” who remained grounded and comfortable within the Mercedes team.
