Kimi Antonelli talked up for Ferrari move by F1 president as Toto Wolff claim is made

Formula 1 president has fuelled speculation about a potential Ferrari move for , suggesting it would be "really beautiful" to see one of his Italian compatriots in the iconic red car. Domenicali praised the 18-year-old as an "extraordinary young man", though conceded that Mercedes chief Toto Wolff would be unimpressed with his comments.

"Kimi Antonelli in Ferrari? An Italian driver in an Italian car. We need a driver who, especially in today's world, represents a reference figure for young people," Domenicali, 59, said on Italian radio show 'La Politica nel pallone'. "So it would be really beautiful, but I believe that Toto Wolff might not agree at this moment." Antonelli, who has impressed with both his speed and composure, is viewed by many as a future world champion, particularly after his strong start to the 2025 season.

"We need to help him grow," Domenicali added. "He is an extraordinary young man with values that I really like. Seeing him enter the paddock with his family and little sister hand in hand gives us a romantic dimension of the sport, then when he lowers the visor, he goes fast. Before equating him to any champion, I think it's right to wait, but the certainty is that he will become a protagonist in our world."

Ferrari aren't looking for a new driver, having just secured seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton on a £40million per year contract. The Brit hasn't exactly hit the ground running for the Scuderia, but his move from Mercedes demonstrates the significance of wearing Ferrari red, according to Domenicali - who is a former Ferrari team principal.

"A champion like him realises what it means," he said, noting Hamilton's hunger to clinch a record eighth world title in the twilight of his career. Meanwhile, Hamilton's team-mate , described as an "extraordinary driver" by Domenicali, is determined to prove his mettle against an illustrious and talented pool of drivers.

Antonelli has the started the campaign brightly. The teenager is currently sixth in the Drivers' Championship after collecting 30 points from four races, and is one place above Hamilton - the man he replaced at Mercedes - in the standings.

He became the third-youngest driver to compete in when he made his debut at the Australian Grand Prix in March, and is enjoying one of the best starts to a rookie season ever made in the sport. However, the Bologna-born star is still a way off the lead, with McLaren duo Lando Norris and 47 and 44 points ahead of him respectively.

Defending champion Max Verstappen is in third, with Antonelli's Mercedes team-mate George Russell in fourth, and Leclerc in fifth. McLaren look like the team to beat, especially with Verstappen's Red Bull team-mates - initially Liam Lawson before he was replaced by Yuki Tsunoda - failing to pick up more than a few points so far.

Ferrari's start has been underwhelming, particularly after both Hamilton and Leclerc were disqualified from the Chinese Grand Prix last month. They're currently fourth in the Constructors' Championship, and nearly 100 points behind table toppers McLaren already.

However, Domenicali has advised his former team to keep working hard, insisting that the differences between them and McLaren are only minor. "The only advice I can give to [team principal] , with whom I am in contact every day, is to continue working with his head down without feeling the weight of a pressure that is natural for those who cover that role," he said.

"I am convinced that soon we will see a Ferrari that will win this year too. We must continue to be there, because this year the gaps are so small that the details make the difference. Being Ferrari is something unique. I was talking about it with Hamilton who realised what it means, for a champion like him, to wear the red overalls".