Kimi Antonelli To Appear As Disney Comic Book Character Ahead Of Italian Grand Prix

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is set to feature in the iconic Italian Disney comic book Topolino ahead of next weekend’s Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver has been the standout performer of the 2026 Formula 1 season, currently leading the drivers’ standings and on course to become the sport’s youngest ever world champion.
Topolino is a beloved Italian publication that has been in print since 1932, with its name literally translating to “little mouse,” which is also the Italian name for Mickey Mouse.
The comic book is built around Disney characters, but Antonelli will be woven into its pages in a special feature tied to the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza.
According to Corriere Della Sera, the Mercedes driver has been reimagined as a new character called Kimi Paperelli, which roughly translates to Kimi Duckonelli in English.
Antonelli is set to appear in four of the five chapters of stories that revolve around the race in Italy, making his presence a central part of the special edition.
“Topolino was the magazine of my childhood, and I’m happy to find myself back in its pages today,” Antonelli said, via Corriere Della Sera.
“If I really lived in Duckburg, I’d ride with Donald Duck in his legendary 313, because it’s a car I really like: it’s sporty, it has a character all its own. And I adore Donald Duck, I’m too fond of him.”
The Italian Grand Prix carries extra significance for Antonelli, as winning at Monza would make him the first Italian driver to take victory at his home race in 60 years.
The last Italian to win at Monza was Ludovico Scarfiotti, who claimed victory in 1966 driving for Ferrari, making Antonelli’s potential triumph historically significant for the sport.
Antonelli finished ninth on his home debut at Monza in 2025, but his performances throughout 2026 have put him firmly in contention to challenge for a first home race win.
The Disney connections to this year’s Italian Grand Prix do not stop with the Topolino feature, as F1 and Disney have confirmed an extension to their existing “Fuel the Magic” collaboration.
As part of that deal, the Cars character Lightning McQueen is set to make an appearance at Monza, with merchandise already showing the character fitted with safety car lights on his roof.
The exact nature of McQueen’s involvement at the race weekend remains to be confirmed, but the collaboration signals a growing partnership between Formula 1 and the Disney brand.
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