An F1 CEO has stated that Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s strong 2026 season is shifting Italian fan support away from Ferrari, with Italian supporters now cheering for a driver outside the Scuderia for the first time in recent memory.
According to reporting by Grande Prêmio, a senior F1 executive commented on the phenomenon of Italian fans backing Antonelli despite his Mercedes seat. The full context of the remarks and the specific executive making the statement were not available in publicly accessible portions of the report.
Antonelli Leads Championship After Strong Start
Antonelli sits atop the 2026 drivers’ championship with 72 points after the opening four races, nine points clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell in second. The Italian rookie’s dominant early-season form has drawn significant attention in his home country, where Ferrari traditionally commands absolute loyalty from the passionate tifosi fanbase.
Ferrari’s championship challenge has faltered relative to pre-season expectations. Charles Leclerc holds third in the standings with 49 points, 23 behind Antonelli, while Lewis Hamilton occupies fourth with 41 points in his debut season with the Italian team. Mercedes leads the constructors’ championship by 45 points over Ferrari, a margin that has grown across the first month of competition.
Historic Shift in Italian Fan Allegiance
Italian fans have historically supported Ferrari above all other teams, with drivers of any nationality receiving backing if they wore the red of Maranello. The suggestion that Italians are now prioritizing a compatriot driver over the national team represents a departure from decades of established patterns in F1 fandom. Whether this shift proves temporary or signals a broader change in how Italian supporters engage with the sport remains to be seen as the season progresses toward the Imola round in May.
The next race takes place at the Shanghai International Circuit on April 27, where Antonelli will attempt to extend his championship lead and Ferrari will look to close the gap to Mercedes in both standings.