Kimi Antonelli, the teenage protégé of Mercedes boss and co-owner Toto Wolff, has not ruled out one day following Lewis Hamilton's path from silver to Ferrari red.
Ahead of his first home grand prix at Imola this weekend, the 18-year-old Italian reflected on his decision to join Mercedes, saying he harbours no regrets. "As a child, like everyone else, I supported Ferrari," Antonelli told Corriere della Sera.
"But when the call from Toto came, in the family we all thought that it was not something that happens every day."
Some fans lament the missed opportunity for an Italian driver to race for Ferrari, with former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo recently stating: "I'm just sorry to see him in Mercedes."
At Imola, near his Bologna birthplace, Antonelli plans to bring a touch of Italy to the Anglo-German Mercedes team. "Bono," he said, referring to his renowned race engineer Peter Bonnington, "only eats curry, every day. My job will be to add a bit of Italian.
"I have decided that on Friday I will bring lasagna for everyone. There will be about 100 dishes. It won't be easy to get them there, but I will do it."
Addressing those who believe he should have waited for a Ferrari contract offer, Antonelli was pragmatic. "When you're very little, everyone gives you advice and criticises you," he said. "I should have understood that you shouldn't listen to everyone."
While content with his current path, he kept the possibilities for his future wide open, adding: "Today, we are very happy with our choice. In the future, never say never."
