Giancarlo Fisichella carried the mantle for Italian drivers in Formula 1 from the mid-nineties through to the late noughties. He won three races in that time and was the last Italian to win a Grand Prix until Kimi Antonelli ripped up the record books at the start of 2026.
However, the 53-year-old – who took victory in Malaysia back in 2006 – is not remotely disheartened to have been replaced in that regard, instead rejoicing in his young countryman’s performances.
“I will say ‘finally!’” explained Fisichella to Tom Clarkson on Beyond The Grid. “I’m happy about that because 20 years is too long.
“You know, the last Italian winner of a Grand Prix was myself 20 years ago, and now this year, with Kimi, this is done.
“And I’m really happy about what he’s doing so far. He is so clever. He’s so quick. And he won five races, five pole positions in a row. This is something amazing.
“I won three races in my life, in 231 Grands Prix. And he won already five races in just less than 30 races of his career. So, this is just great.”
Antonelli’s winning run began in China, and he went on to stand on the top step in Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco. He won his first three races from pole too, to set another record.
Although that run has since ended, reliability woes wrecking his chances in Barcelona-Catalunya and Great Britain, while he was out-performed by his team mate in Austria, Antonelli remains in the lead of the Drivers’ Championship.
That lead has been reduced though – at one point standing at an impressive 61 points – and is now down to just 25 over George Russell. But Fisichella remains confident that Antonelli has a real shot at becoming the youngest ever F1 World Champion.
“I think he’s got a chance,” said Fisichella. “He needs to think just race by race. Not taking too much pressure. Concentrate like he drove, in the last couple of races, and, and they can he can fight for the championship. I’m sure.
“Kimi, his face, he looks like a baby, but, when, when he closed the visor, a completely different, story.”
Antonelli’s rise this year has been incredible, displaying the consistency and raw speed that appeared to allude him in his debut season in 2025, causing some to question if he’d been promoted to quickly – despite recording three podiums in his rookie season.
“The first [FP1] ever, he was in Monza two years ago and he crashed the car. So, it wasn’t a good start,” joked Fisichella.
“And then last year, he was a bit up and down with some mistakes with not good performances. But I think this year, with the experience of last year, especially with a good car now – he is very confident and he’s very comfortable in the car.”
The last Italian to win the Drivers’ Championship was Alberto Ascari back in 1953 – something Fisichella is keen to see change.
Asked if Italy – home of Ferrari, famed for the tifosi – has missed having an Italian race winner, Fisichella responded: “Yeah, a lot. Not just a single race [winner], but also the World Championship [winner]. I don’t remember when, 70, 80 years? It’s too much!”
To listen to this week’s episode of Beyond The Grid – sponsored by Explora Journeys – simply hit go on the audio player above or click here to listen via your preferred podcasting platform.
