Giancarlo Fisichella spent more than a decade carrying the hopes of Italian Formula 1 fans, becoming the country’s leading driver from the mid-1990s until the late 2000s. The three-time Grand Prix winner was the last Italian driver to stand on the top step of an F1 podium before Kimi Antonelli changed the record books at the beginning of the 2026 season.
Key Highlights
- Giancarlo Fisichella has welcomed Kimi Antonelli replacing him as Italy’s most recent Formula 1 race winner after a 20-year gap.
- Antonelli has already won five races and secured five consecutive pole positions in fewer than 30 Grands Prix.
- Fisichella believes Antonelli has a genuine chance of becoming the youngest F1 World Champion if he continues to focus race by race.
- Italy has not produced an F1 Drivers’ Championship winner since Alberto Ascari claimed the title in 1953.
Fisichella Delighted to See Antonelli Rewrite Italian F1 History
However, Fisichella is far from disappointed to lose that distinction. Instead, the 53-year-old has embraced Antonelli’s success and is thrilled to see a fellow Italian making history. “I will say ‘finally!’” Fisichella told Tom Clarkson on Beyond The Grid. “I'm happy about that because 20 years is too long.”
The former Renault driver added that seeing Antonelli end Italy’s long wait was a special moment. “The last Italian winner of a Grand Prix was myself 20 years ago, and now this year, with Kimi, this is done.”
Antonelli’s Incredible Start Leaves Fisichella Impressed
Fisichella, who won the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix, has been amazed by Antonelli’s rapid rise in Formula 1. The young Italian began his winning streak in China before adding victories in Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco. His first three wins came from pole position, creating another impressive milestone in his early career.
“I’m really happy about what he’s doing so far,” Fisichella said. “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.”
Fisichella Believes Antonelli Can Fight for Championship Glory
Although Antonelli’s incredible winning streak has ended after reliability problems affected his chances in Barcelona-Catalunya and Great Britain, while teammate performance saw him lose ground in Austria, the Mercedes driver remains at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
His once-commanding 61-point advantage over George Russell has been reduced to 25 points, but Fisichella remains confident that Antonelli has what it takes to challenge for the title. “I think he's got a chance,” Fisichella said. “He needs to think just race by race. Not taking too much pressure. Concentrate like he drove in the last couple of races, and they can fight for the championship. I’m sure.”
Antonelli Has Overcome Early Career Doubts
Antonelli’s breakthrough season has been a major turnaround after an inconsistent rookie campaign in 2025, when some questioned whether he had been promoted to Formula 1 too quickly despite achieving three podium finishes.
Fisichella admitted Antonelli’s early experiences were not always smooth, recalling a difficult first FP1 outing at Monza two years ago. “The first [FP1] ever, he was in Monza two years ago and he crashed the car. So, it wasn't a good start,” he joked.
However, Fisichella believes last year’s struggles helped Antonelli develop into a stronger driver. “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.”
Italy Waiting for Another F1 World Champion
While Antonelli has already ended Italy’s long wait for a race winner, Fisichella hopes the youngster can go even further. The last Italian to win the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953, leaving the nation still searching for its next world champion.
Asked whether Italy, home to Ferrari and its passionate tifosi, had missed having an Italian champion-level driver, Fisichella highlighted the length of the wait. “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!”
With Antonelli continuing to impress at the highest level, Italian F1 fans now have renewed hope that another historic chapter could be on the horizon.
