Giampaolo Dallara has paid an emotional tribute to Andrea Kimi Antonelli following his historic 2026 Formula 1 world championship triumph, describing the Mercedes driver as an exceptional talent whose maturity reminds him of Lewis Hamilton. The renowned Italian engineer believes his country has finally found a truly extraordinary champion after 73 years without a Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship title.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s achievement at the Mexico City Grand Prix moved millions of Italians, including Giampaolo Dallara, who spoke to FormulaPassion.it about the significance of the Mercedes driver’s success. Beyond his remarkable driving ability, Dallara was particularly impressed by the 20-year-old’s personality, humility and composure throughout the championship, highlighting how he never behaved arrogantly despite emerging as the best driver of the season.
Giampaolo Dallara hails Kimi Antonelli as an exceptional F1 talent
For Giampaolo Dallara, the celebrations in Mexico provided a fitting conclusion to a remarkable championship campaign. The presence of Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen alongside the new world champion made the occasion even more memorable.
“Yesterday, we were all emotional, absolutely everyone,” Giampaolo Dallara said. “It really seemed as though the occasion couldn’t have been scripted any better. The two greatest drivers of the present era, Hamilton and Verstappen, were there too. It was the ultimate recognition of his achievement. It was as though there was a fantastic director behind it all.”
Italy had waited 73 years to celebrate another Formula 1 world champion, despite continuing to produce talented racing drivers throughout that period. Andrea Kimi Antonelli finally ended that drought in Mexico, following in the footsteps of Alberto Ascari, who secured the country’s previous championship in 1953.
The achievement prompted widespread celebrations, with Formula 1 president Stefano Domenicali also welcoming Italy’s historic return to the top of the sport.
Giampaolo Dallara believes the difference between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and the many talented Italian drivers who preceded him lies in the exceptional level he has reached.
“We’ve had some excellent drivers, very good ones. Many also came close and could have achieved victory. But a truly exceptional talent only comes along every so often. Someone who belongs to a different category has only arrived now.”
The engineer also highlighted the extraordinary progress the Mercedes driver has made in just one season, having gone from a promising youngster to a world champion.
“Last year, though, it wasn’t like that. He was a young driver who might have had potential, and this year there has been an explosion of talent.”
Giampaolo Dallara rejects claims Mercedes car alone won Kimi Antonelli the title
Although Giampaolo Dallara acknowledged that Andrea Kimi Antonelli could not have won the championship without Mercedes, he strongly disagreed with the suggestion that the car alone deserved the credit for his success.
The Italian engineer pointed to the comparison with George Russell, who entered the season with considerably more Formula 1 experience but was consistently beaten by his younger team-mate.
“I would tell them that a strong driver like his team-mate was always beaten, despite being an experienced driver. We used to say, ‘If the car is fast, Russell will win.’ Perhaps the car wasn’t even the strongest, but Antonelli won.”
Giampaolo Dallara also recalled the circumstances surrounding Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival at Mercedes, highlighting how the youngster had been selected to replace Lewis Hamilton despite his limited experience.
“Let’s not forget that last year he was the newcomer to the team, the one who had been chosen two years earlier to replace Hamilton.”
The contrast between the two Mercedes drivers became one of the defining aspects of the championship, with Toto Wolff also praising Andrea Kimi Antonelli following his world championship victory.
Kimi Antonelli’s maturity reminds Giampaolo Dallara of Lewis Hamilton
While Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s speed and technical ability have attracted considerable attention, Giampaolo Dallara believes his greatest strengths extend beyond outright driving performance. The engineer was particularly impressed by the calm and calculated approach the Mercedes youngster adopted during the final stages of his championship campaign.
“He seems very mature, composed and calm to me. Yesterday, for example, he drove quickly throughout the race, but without taking risks, and he’s been doing that for several races now.”
The Italian engineer explained that Andrea Kimi Antonelli had demonstrated remarkable judgement when the championship was approaching its decisive moment, consistently prioritising the points required to secure the title.
“When the time came to collect the final points, he always drove without putting himself in danger. He truly has incredible maturity, the kind you would expect from a seasoned professional, something that is evident in someone like Hamilton.”
The comparison with Lewis Hamilton was particularly significant given the seven-time world champion’s experience and reputation. For Giampaolo Dallara, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already demonstrated a level of composure that would normally be associated with a driver who has spent many years competing at the highest level.
Giampaolo Dallara hopes Italy can keep its new Formula 1 champion
Beyond his performances on the circuit, Giampaolo Dallara was equally enthusiastic about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s character. He believes the young Italian’s modesty and genuine personality have made his championship victory particularly meaningful for supporters across the country.
“I think there are many Italians who were moved to tears. He’s a good young man, not one of those arrogant types who act as though they’re top of the class. That’s the very last thing he does.”
The hope is that Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s maiden world championship will mark the beginning of a long and successful Formula 1 career rather than an isolated achievement. The Mercedes driver has already described his championship triumph as a new starting point in his ambition to keep winning.
Giampaolo Dallara, however, does not believe the young champion needs advice about how to approach the next stage of his career. Instead, he expressed confidence in the driver’s maturity and the people supporting him.
“He doesn’t need advice. He seems extremely mature to me and also surrounded by people who help him reflect. We have a champion of our own, let’s hold on to him. I hope we’ve found a champion and a leading figure in the championship.”
For Giampaolo Dallara, Andrea Kimi Antonelli represents much more than Italy’s first Formula 1 world champion in 73 years. His extraordinary talent, humility and maturity offer the country the prospect of a driver capable of remaining among the sport’s leading figures for years to come.
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