Italian derby in Monza: Ferrari and Antonelli divide the hearts of the fans

One image is enough to describe everything. A father and his son, in his early twenties, are walking in Monza Park: the shirt on him is Ferrari red, the cap on his head to protect himself from the hot rays of the sun is Mercedes silver. Solomonics. The tricolor derby ignites the Italian Grand Prix and the dilemma tears the fans apart.

The exit polls still reward the Maranello team but the consensus for the 20-year-old is growing rapidly. In Monza the heart continues to beat especially in red. It is the color that dominates the stands, the streets around the circuit, the flags and the clothing of the fans.

Ferrari remains Ferrari: especially in its home Grand Prix, especially when it can compete to win in Monza as demonstrated in free practice. But seeing an Italian at the top of the Formula 1 World Championship, with a concrete possibility of taking him home after 73 years of starvation, truly seemed like a mirage, until recently. Like winning Wimbledon (right, Sinner?) or the 100 meters at the Olympics (right, Jacobs?).

It is therefore the beginning of Antonelli-mania. The support which, rather than being divided, seems to have doubled. "Forza Ferrari", of course. But immediately afterwards there almost always comes a "but let's hope Kimi finishes third". It is the perfect compromise for those who want to see the Red team win without giving up pride in the boy who is writing a new page in Italian sport. An all-Italian podium that would satisfy everyone.

Even the numbers tell about this double soul. In a survey on the 'Gazzetta' website, on the eve of the weekend, 58.3% of voters indicated Ferrari as the object of their support, against 41.7% for Antonelli. Not a scientific investigation, but the photograph of the moment: red remains the majority but Kimi has already conquered a huge slice of the hearts of Italians.

And then there is the future, the one that fuels dreams. Which, by definition, cost nothing. Because among the fans it is not difficult to hear a phrase uttered: "Sooner or later Antonelli must drive a Ferrari". Maybe right after Hamilton's retirement. The Briton himself, replaced by Antonelli in Mercedes, did not hide the possibility of one day seeing Kimi wearing red. He described him as fast, consistent and very mature for his age, while stressing that Toto Wolff is unlikely to let him leave anytime soon. An Italian - and winning - rider on an Italian - and competitive - car: like Max Biaggi in Aprilia in Superbike, like Pecco Bagnaia in Ducati in MotoGP. Then the typhoid would no longer be divided, the soul would no longer be torn but would become a plebiscitarian love.