Mario Andretti: His verdict on Kimi Antonelli, his hopes for Ferrari

Mario Andretti is at the Circuit of the Americas as a board member of the Cadillac F1 team. He is perhaps the only person at this circuit who witnessed Italy’s most recent Formula 1 world champion and can now watch the next champion in action. As a child, Mario and his twin brother Aldo watched Ferrari star Alberto Ascari – who won the world title in 1952 and 1953 – at Monza. Now, at the COTA circuit, Andretti is watching the next Italian world champion in action: Kimi Antonelli.

The strongest impression for the twelve-time Grand Prix winner, 1978 F1 champion (with Lotus), Indy 500 winner and four-time IndyCar champion, as he explained to my colleague Giulia Toninelli of the Gazzetta dello Sport: “If someone had told me a few years ago that Formula 1 would be so successful in the United States, I would never have believed it.”

“I raced in Formula 1 for many years, but the Americans showed hardly any interest in it; there wasn’t the kind of massive enthusiasm there is today. Liberty Media has achieved something incredible in this regard, and here in Austin you can really feel the genuine passion.”

What’s still missing, according to the COTA ambassador: “I’m going to be a bit romantic here, but I’d love to see an American driver. It would be wonderful to see all these fans cheering on a fellow countryman one day.”

“As for the rest, I’d say that Formula 1 is perfect as it is at the moment: I’m not one of those former drivers who always say, ‘Everything was better when I was racing.’ Because every generation has its own rules, its own fans, its own stars and its own priorities. This is a wonderful season with a brilliant leading man, Kimi Antonelli, who’s generating a lot of excitement.”

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Andretti, who was born in Montona (then in Italy, now in Croatia), says of the upcoming champion Antonelli: “I’m a huge fan. I’m really thrilled by what Kimi is showing; it’s a spectacle for anyone who loves Formula 1. Soon he’ll be the fourth Italian to win a world championship, after me, Ascari and Farina.”

Mario starts to laugh: “Well, of course I know I’m not on the list of Italian world champions, because officially I’m considered American, but I also feel deeply Italian, and that’s why I’m delighted that Antonelli is joining the ranks of the world champions. He’s proved that he’s got everything it takes to be great, even though he’s so young.”

According to Mario Andretti, the most emotional moment was “definitely Monza. I’ve won there and know exactly what it means to triumph in front of that crowd. Kimi could win a hundred races, but a victory at Monza will always remain something special. For him and for everyone who saw it.”

Looking ahead to 2027, Mario Andretti hopes “for an even stronger Ferrari. This year they’ve taken a big step forward compared to last season, and I hope they’ll be even more competitive in the next World Championship so they can have a say in the title race.”

“Lewis Hamilton has returned as a true champion after a very difficult season, and Charles Leclerc is also consistently demonstrating what an excellent driver he is. I hope to see them in the title fight in 2027, perhaps even up against Antonelli. It would be incredible for all the fans, Italian and non-Italian alike.”