Kimi Antonelli avoiding Ferrari was "best thing" his father did, says Karun Chandhok

Karun Chandhok praised Kimi Antonelli's decision to join the Mercedes junior program instead of Ferrari, suggesting it alleviated pressure on the young driver. Antonelli has had a successful 2026 season, winning his home Italian Grand Prix and leading the championship standings after multiple victories.

Chandhok believes that being part of the Ferrari program would have placed excessive pressure on Antonelli, given the expectations associated with being an Italian driver for the iconic team. He noted that Mercedes has effectively nurtured Antonelli's talent, allowing him to thrive in his early career.