The championship leader assured even before the results of the Hungarian Grand Prix that Kimi Antonelli was going through the best period in his sports career. But behind the scenes, the Mercedes driver faces a legal dispute that could last for months.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, Giovanni Minardi, Antonelli’s former manager and son of former team boss Gian Carlo Minardi, filed a civil complaint with the Bologna court last year.
The basis of this procedure is the unilateral termination of the management contract of the Italian driver, which occurred even before his debut in Formula 1. Giovanni Minardi is now demanding contractual compensation, as well as damages.
The exact amount of this request has not been disclosed, but the Italian press mentions a significant amount, amounting to hundreds of thousands of euros. Both sides will also still be very far from a possible settlement agreement.
However, Giovanni Minardi played an important role in launching Antonelli’s career. He would be one of the first to recognize the young Italian driver’s potential, even going so far as to offer him to Ferrari before Mercedes integrated him into their young driver academy.
At the time the dispute arose, Antonelli was already a member of the Mercedes youth program, and the German manufacturer was officially managing its young drivers.
The 19-year-old pilot’s entourage did not want to publicly comment on this procedure. However, according to information published in Italy, he is convinced that the termination of the contract was carried out in compliance with the law.
The case could become more serious during the next hearing. Toto Wolff, the director of Mercedes F1, as well as Gwen Lagrue, the head of the German team’s youth program, who announced her departure to Red Bull, could be called to testify in court.
On the other hand, at the sporting level, nothing seems to bother Antonelli. Whatever his result at the Hungaroring, he will enter the summer break at the top of the championship, a significance of the situation that he fully understands.
“It’s not that bad,” he said. he told La Gazzetta dello Sport when asked what it means to approach the holidays as a leader.
“I’m very relaxed and I’m going to enjoy my holiday more than last year because I know we did a great job with the team in the first part of the season.”
That confidence extends to his future, despite ongoing legal proceedings.
“I have no doubts about my future, so I can just focus on racing.”
After more than seven months of almost continuous competition, Antonelli nevertheless admits that he feels the need to take a break before the second half of the season begins.
“It’s been over seven months of intense competition and I need to take a break, have fun and think about something else so I can get back to work in better conditions.”
“Although I know that after four days I’ll be tired of my vacation.”