Ferrari legend Jacky Ickx (81): “Antonelli–Hamilton, it doesn’t get any better than that”

Jacky Ickx is Belgium’s most successful Formula 1 driver: eight Grand Prix victories, and runner-up in the World Championship in 1969 with Brabham and in 1970 with Ferrari. Following his successes with Ferrari, the 81-year-old went on to become a record-breaking Le Mans winner and an endurance racing specialist; he also triumphed in the Dakar Rally and, at the end of his career, said: “My greatest achievement is that I survived.”

Naturally, this motorsport legend rarely misses his home race in Belgium, and what he sees of modern Formula 1 is very much to the liking of the man who has competed in 114 Grand Prix races, as he told colleagues at *La Gazzetta dello Sport*: “The way young Kimi Antonelli drives is simply fabulous.”

Ickx really goes into raptures: “Kimi is so well-mannered, a ray of sunshine in terms of character, and his talent is truly impressive. With young drivers like that, Formula 1 is in excellent shape for the future.”

“I met Kimi in Monaco. I went up to him after his victory to introduce myself. Antonelli said: ‘You don’t need to introduce yourself; of course I know who you are – it’s an honour.’ That really touched me. It’s not a given that young drivers will have a grasp of racing history. His talent is immense; in that respect, he reminds me of Verstappen.”

“Isn’t it fabulous what we’re set to see in 2026? Nineteen-year-old Kimi Antonelli up against 41-year-old Lewis Hamilton – that’s a real treat; it doesn’t get any better than that. Who could have imagined that before the season started?”

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“Mercedes are incredibly strong this year, but Ferrari have caught up. And I’m sure Max Verstappen will win more races this year too. The beauty of 2026 is that you never know what’s going to happen before a Grand Prix.”

“When it comes to Ferrari, I’ve always said: give team principal Fred Vasseur time to build something great. And I’m delighted to see that his work is slowly bearing fruit. I can sense a good atmosphere at Ferrari; the Italians are a united team, just as it was back in my day when I drove for the Scuderia.”

Speaking about the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps, Ickx says: “The track was magical back in the 1970s, and it still is today. Many of the corners are unique. And then there’s that backdrop in the Ardennes! It’s simply unrivalled.”

“Let’s not get the wrong end of the stick: Liberty Media is doing a brilliant job of marketing Formula 1. But Spa should take place every year, not just every two years as will be the case in future.”