Seven-time reigning MotoGP world champion Valentino Rossi has made a surprise announcement in support of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 title bid, preferring the young Italian talent over his long-standing loyalty to Ferrari for the 2026 world championship. Despite Ferrari’s status as a national institution in Italy, Rossi’s allegiance this year lies firmly with Antonelli, who is delivering a sensational season at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Antonelli’s meteoric rise has seen him claim five wins in just nine races, giving him a commanding 25-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell in the drivers’ standings. The remarkable performance has thrust the 19-year-old into the spotlight as Italy’s brightest hope for a Formula 1 world champion since Alberto Ascari last accomplished the feat seven decades ago in 1953.
Meanwhile, Ferrari faces its toughest challenge, with Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc both having won in the last three rounds. Seven-time champion Hamilton is now only 32 points behind Antonelli. In the Constructors’ Championship, Ferrari trails Mercedes by 78 points, setting the stage for a fierce battle as the season progresses.
Rossi, who famously tested a Ferrari F1 car in 2004 and 2005 and sparked speculation about a possible switch from MotoGP to Formula 1, explained his unique approach in an interview with Sky Sports F1 ahead of the Belgian Grand Prix. “You can imagine with Ferrari in Italy, it’s like a religion. But I’m more a fan of the driver. That’s why I’m with Kimi now,” Rossi said, highlighting his admiration for Antonelli’s talent. “He is a great talent. He has a lot of speed and in Italy we have never had a Formula 1 driver in the last 70 years who can win a championship. So it is very special.”
Since leaving MotoGP, Rossi has continued to pursue motorsport fame as a BMW factory driver in sportscar racing. He recently revealed ambitions to compete at the famous Nurburgring 24 Hours, potentially going up against four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen. “Yes, because now it seems you can get the permit in a single weekend. We are in talks with BMW to organize everything. The Nurburgring 24 Hours is definitely on my bucket list. I hope we can do that with BMW,” Rossi said.
Antonelli’s lead to historic Italian victories and Ferrari’s resurgence have fueled the battle of the constructors, with Rossi’s support adding further intrigue to a season already filled with high drama and national pride.
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