Kimi Antonelli arrives in Baku at the top of the championship standings. But it's not his points lead dominating the questions this week. It's a certain red-liveried name that keeps finding its way into every press conference. And when he was asked about it again, his answer left the door open just a little wider than before. 

It's a question Antonelli has grown used to answering. But as his championship lead grows and the Tifosi's hopes grow louder with it, each response gets picked apart a little more closely, and this one, in particular, gave people plenty to chew on. 

While talking to Automoto Italy, the No. 12 Mercedes driver was questioned about whether he would join Ferrari anytime soon. 

"Now I'm fine where I am," Antonelli told Automoto Italy during the interview. "I am very happy to be at Mercedes, also because I feel I owe them a debt for all the opportunities they have given me.  They were the ones who believed in me when I was only 12 years old." 

Kimi Antonelli further explained why he feels obligated to stay at Mercedes for now. 

"They have accompanied me on this path of growth, and I hope to reap many successes with them in the future.  Then we'll see. I don't rule anything out, but today the goal is to win as much as possible with Mercedes."  

For now, the reflection ends there. Gratitude to Mercedes, a door left open to Ferrari, and a title fight that takes priority over both. Whether that changes is a conversation for another day, but as the paddock rolls into Azerbaijan this weekend, it's clear the question isn't going anywhere.

Lewis Hamilton weighs in on Kimi Antonelli joining Ferrari 

Antonelli isn't the only one fielding questions about a red future. Lewis Hamilton, of all people, was asked to weigh in on the growing chatter around his compatriot's long-term destination, and his answer only added fuel to the fire. 

During his media availability on Thursday at Monza, Hamilton was questioned on whether he could see the Mercedes driver taking over his seat in the future. To which the seven-time world champion was quick to answer, 

"Anything's possible, I mean, the truth is there's a lot of great drivers that could join Ferrari in the future," said Hamilton during the press conference. "I think Ferrari's Ferrari.  I think the Italians, it’s the Pope and Ferrari, as far as I’m aware, and pasta and pizza and family, you know."

However, having been at Mercedes for more than a decade, Hamilton knows that the team principal, Toto Wolff, will not let go of Antonelli so early. 

"So I think it’s great, and he’s obviously in the early stages of his life. Toto is not going to let him go anytime soon."

Coming from a driver who knows the pull of Ferrari better than most, the endorsement carries weight, even if Hamilton himself doesn't expect it to happen anytime soon. 

Written by

Chionia Libania Colaco