Kimi Antonelli could change Monza forever, says Formula 1 CEO

Formula 1 heads to the ‘Cathedral of Speed’ from September 4 to 6, and an Italian will be leading the world championship.

Kimi Antonelli is currently 50 points ahead of second-placed Lewis Hamilton, meaning whatever happens next time out in the Netherlands, he will be top for his home race.

The event will likely be more in demand than ever, with an Italian in a Mercedes likely battling the native Ferraris for victory on home turf.

The prospect is mouth-watering, particularly for another Italian in the picture, F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

In fact, the executive thinks there’s a chance that for the first time since its inception in 1950, Monza won’t be completely covered in Scuderia red.

Looking ahead to the race while speaking to GPBlog and others, the Imola native said: “Monza will be an incredible event where, for the first time maybe, we will see a different colour on the grandstand on top of the usual red.

Domenicali then went on to talk about the 19-year-old’s incredible impact on the sport in just his second season.

He continued: “The effect on Kimi, not only on what he's doing at the performance level, but also in terms of a character, as a personality, is attracting a very, very young generation into the ecosystem that is beneficial for all of us.”

Yet despite all the positives, some negatives were starting to creep in when Antonelli went on a stunning five-race winning streak from round two in China to round six in Monaco.

It set a new record for consecutive wins after a maiden F1 victory, but it also raised suspicions the title fight may be over early.

Mercedes’ pace and specifically Antonelli’s looked untouchable, but he’s since only won once in the last five races.

Lewis Hamilton, George Russell, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris have all stood on the top step of the podium, bringing relief to many neutrals.

Not just those without a dog in the fight, but also Domenicali, who thinks the results are another show of the benefits of the 2026 regulations.

He commented: “I remember very, very well at the beginning of the year, everyone, not everyone, but of course, I'm exaggerating, were saying, ‘Ah, the championship is already finished, we're going to have a Mercedes dominating the season, this game over’.