Ferrari passed on signing Kimi Antonelli, says Luca di Montezemolo

Former Ferrari president Luca Cordero di Montezemolo has revealed that the Scuderia had a concrete opportunity to sign Italian driver Kimi Antonelli early in his career but ultimately declined.

In an interview with AS, Montezemolo explained that while Antonelli had been identified as a significant talent by Ferrari's youth program, then-team principal Maurizio Arrivabene decided against the move because the driver was considered too young at the time.

Antonelli, currently performing strongly with Mercedes, is noted for his mental strength and technical driving style. Montezemolo suggested that while the decision was made, the current trajectory of the young driver's career could become a major missed opportunity for Ferrari. He also noted that the pressure of driving for Ferrari at such a young age might have been overwhelming, suggesting that his development at Mercedes provided a more controlled environment for growth.