Kimi Antonelli will give the start of the 6 Hours of Imola this Sunday

A powerful symbolic choice. Kimi Antonelli, driver Mercedes Benz and current leader of the world championship Formula 1 with two wins in the first three rounds of the season, will give the start of the 6 Hours of Imola this Sunday — the first round of the World Championship.Endurance (WEC) 2026. The 19-year-old Italian, originally from Bologna, thus finds himself a few kilometers from home at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Classic Ferrari for sale at Imola, in an unusual but highly symbolic role: that of ambassador for Italian motorsport in front of its home crowd. Arriving in Formula 1 in 2025 to replace Lewis Hamilton At Mercedes, he impressed from his first season before finally exploding onto the scene in 2026, becoming the youngest driver in history to lead the world championship.

His presence at Imola this Sunday takes on a special significance for several reasons. Firstly, it's the opening round of the 2026 WEC, the start of which was delayed by the postponement of the 1812km Qatar Grand Prix. Secondly, seeing the current Formula 1 cars take the start of an endurance race on an Italian circuit perfectly illustrates motorsport's ability to unite its various disciplines around a common goal. The Tifosi in the stands will undoubtedly give their champion a warm welcome before seeing him back on track – this time behind the wheel of his Mercedes – for Formula 1's return at the Miami Grand Prix from May 1st to 3rd.

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