Piero Ferrari has explained why his father, Enzo Ferrari, likely would have snubbed Kimi Antonelli as a driver for the Scuderia.

With Italy receiving their first Grand Prix winner in 20 years in the form of Kimi Antonelli, there has been natural speculation over the possibility of the Bologna-born driver one day donning Ferrari’s famous red overalls.

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While Antonelli has consistently asserted he is happy at Mercedes, he has also refused to rule out a future move to Maranello, which suggests the Tifosi could potentially have a local hero to cheer on in the coming years.

However, according to Enzo Ferrari’s son, seeing Antonelli assume the Prancing Horse’s logo would actually go against one of the late founder’s policies during his tenure at the helm of the F1 team.

Piero Ferrari: Enzo Ferrari didn’t want to expose Italian drivers to the ‘unbearable’ pressure of racing for them

In a recent conversation with renowned F1 journalist Leo Turrini for Quotidiano Nazionale, Piero Ferrari was asked for his opinion on whether his father would have been a fan of Antonelli’s after detailing his own admiration with the young Italian.

“Absolutely!” he answered. Despite that, Ferrari went on to highlight how his father would likely still have snubbed signing him: “You see, it’s true that at a certain point in his career my father decided to stop backing Italian drivers.

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“After the tragic death of Lorenzo Bandini, who died as a result of an accident at the Monte Carlo circuit in 1967, Dad realised that having an Italian drive our red car meant exposing him to pressures that were sometimes unbearable.

“He made an exception only towards the end of his life, when he called up Michele Alboreto, who would have deserved to be crowned champion.”

Alboreto finished as the runner-up to Alain Prost during his stint at Maranello during the 1985 F1 season, which remains the closest any Italian driver has come to winning a title for Ferrari since.

“Generally speaking, my father knew how to appreciate a natural instinct for speed, coupled with a clear-headed approach to handling the car,” Ferrari added. “It is in this respect that Antonelli is already a master.”

Then asked whether he thinks Antonelli would make the move over, the 81-year-old replied: “Ah, there are so many factors at play here – there are contracts to honour and commitments already made.

“Besides, I’m no hypocrite: who wouldn’t love to see an Italian behind the wheel of the car that bears my father’s name? And I suppose that, given his roots, the lad from Bologna wouldn’t mind it either. Maybe one day it’ll happen – why not?”