Giancarlo Fisichella has expressed satisfaction with Kimi Antonelli carrying the legacy of Italian drivers in Formula 1 with the excellent form he has shown in the 2026 season.
The 53-year-old driver competed in the category, gridding between 1996 and 2009, securing three victories and becoming the last Italian to win a Grand Prix by triumphing at the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix. Therefore, he is not lamenting being surpassed by the Mercedes’ 19-year-old sensation.
“I would say ‘finally!’ I’m happy about this, because 20 years is a long time,” he explained to Tom Clarkson on the F1 Beyond The Grid podcast.
“You know, the last Italian to win a Grand Prix was me, 20 years ago, and now, this year, with Kimi, that happened again. And I’m very happy with what he’s been doing so far. He’s very intelligent. He’s very fast. And he’s won five races, taken five consecutive pole positions. That’s something incredible,” he continued.
“I have won three races in my life, in 231 Grands Prix. And he has already won five races in just under 30 outings in his career. So, this is simply fantastic,” he added.
