His Serene Highness Prince Albert II says Kimi Antonelli is thinking of moving to Monaco, but the family of the championship-leading Mercedes driver says they have no such plans.
The Prince’s remark came in an interview with Corriere della Sera on Italian sports stars living in the Principality, as reported by Open. Antonelli, 20, would follow in the footsteps of Jannik Sinner and others if he left San Marino, where his family has lived for years.
His father, Marco Antonelli, dismissed the idea in an interview with il Resto del Carlino on Tuesday, October 6. “We’re fine and don’t need to change right now,” he said. He added that he did not know where the rumour began: “I’ve been in San Marino for seven years, and my son has always liked it.”
The family’s links go beyond a home address. Marco’s motorsport team, Antonelli Motorsport, is based on Monte Titano, and Kimi got his driving licence there. San Marino has also named him an ambassador for Italian sport.
Kimi himself spoke warmly of the place at the Sport in Fiera event on September 19. “I feel really good in this very peaceful environment,” he said, according to Italpress.
San Marino’s sport minister, Rossano Fabbri, told il Resto del Carlino that he knew of no decision by the driver to leave. He accepted that tax and financial advantages matter, but said they don’t explain Antonelli’s choice on their own.
The family’s answer covers their current plans and does not rule out a future move. Antonelli won the Monaco Grand Prix in June, becoming its youngest winner.