In a thrilling turn of events for Italian motorsport, Kimi Antonelli has reignited national pride by clinching a Grand Prix victory, ending a two-decade drought for Italy in Formula 1. Giancarlo Fisichella, the last Italian driver to taste victory in the sport, is overjoyed with Antonelli’s remarkable achievements.
Fisichella, who made his mark in F1 from the mid-90s to the late 2000s, celebrated Antonelli’s success during an interview with Tom Clarkson on the podcast Beyond The Grid. “Finally!” he exclaimed, reflecting on the long wait for an Italian winner. “Twenty years is far too long. I was the last one to win, and now Kimi has changed that.”
The 53-year-old former driver, who triumphed in Malaysia in 2006, expressed his admiration for the young talent. “Kimi is incredibly intelligent and fast. Winning five races and securing five pole positions in a row is nothing short of extraordinary,” he noted. In contrast, Fisichella managed three wins over the course of 231 races, highlighting the impressive start to Antonelli’s career.
Antonelli’s winning streak kicked off in China, followed by victories in Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco, with his first three wins all coming from pole position—a record-setting feat. However, despite facing challenges in Barcelona-Catalunya and Great Britain due to reliability issues, and a tough outing in Austria, Antonelli still leads the Drivers’ Championship, albeit with his margin reduced to 25 points over George Russell.
Fisichella remains optimistic about Antonelli’s championship prospects. “He has a real chance,” he said. “He needs to take it race by race, without letting pressure get to him. If he maintains his focus, he can definitely fight for the title.”
The seasoned driver also reflected on Antonelli’s evolution since his debut season in 2025, where inconsistency raised questions about his promotion. “His first practice session at Monza two years ago didn’t go well, but he’s learned from those experiences,” Fisichella laughed. “Now, he’s confident and comfortable in the car.”
With the last Italian to win the Drivers’ Championship being Alberto Ascari in 1953, Fisichella is eager to see that change. He lamented the long absence of an Italian champion, stating, “Italy has missed not just race winners, but a World Champion for far too long. It’s been decades!”
As the season unfolds, fans are left wondering: could Kimi Antonelli be the one to bring the championship back to Italy?
