Andrea Kimi Antonelli has never hidden his deep connection with the world of GT racing, an environment he has known since childhood thanks to the experience of his father, Marco. This passion is not just theoretical: as early as 2023, the young Italian driver proved his talent in the Italian GT Championship, immediately making an impact with pole position and victory on his debut at Misano. A result that brought him into the spotlight and highlighted a rare level of versatility for such a young driver, who is now fully committed to Formula 1 with Mercedes.
The shared dream with Verstappen
Although his main focus remains on Formula 1, the Italian is keeping a close eye on endurance racing, especially following the announcement of Max Verstappen’s participation in the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. On this topic, the Italian was very clear: “I would really love to race in an endurance event together with Max.”
The idea stems from a shared passion for GT cars and could eventually become something concrete in the future. Kimi Antonelli added: “I think it would be fantastic… we both share this passion,” suggesting that this is far more than just a passing thought.
Between ambition and the future: target Nordschleife
The Mercedes driver is already looking ahead. Kimi Antonelli revealed that he wants to experience one of the most iconic circuits in the world: “I have already asked if I can do a test at the Nordschleife because it’s a track I absolutely love.” This is a clear sign of his desire to grow beyond the boundaries of Formula 1 and explore different disciplines within motorsport.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen himself has acknowledged the young Italian’s talent following his first Formula 1 victory: “It’s fantastic… it was expected, and it won’t be his last win.” Words that carry significant weight and open the door to an intriguing scenario: rivals in Formula 1, but potentially teammates in future endurance racing challenges.
The 2026 season continues to reveal the multi-faceted nature of its newest stars. Kimi Antonelli isn’t just a “software specialist” or a product of the simulator; he is a racer with a traditional heart who craves the mechanical grit of the Nürburgring. Based on the content of his latest interviews, the prospect of an Antonelli-Verstappen “Super Team” in a GT3 car is becoming one of the most anticipated crossover stories in motorsport.
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