Antonelli faces lawsuit from former manager Minardi

Championship leader Kimi Antonelli is facing a civil lawsuit from his former manager Giovanni Minardi over alleged unpaid compensation dating back to the Italian’s career before Formula 1.

According to La Gazzetta dello Sport and Corriere della Sera, Minardi filed the case in the Court of Bologna last year after Antonelli unilaterally terminated their management agreement before making his Formula 1 debut.

Minardi, the son of former team owner Gian Carlo Minardi, is reportedly seeking contractual compensation and damages.

The precise amount is unclear, with reports referring to significant sums ranging into six figures, while the parties are said to remain far from reaching a settlement.

Minardi was among the first to recognise Antonelli’s talent and reportedly even proposed the young Italian to Ferrari before Mercedes recruited him into its junior program.

Antonelli was already part of the Mercedes academy during the disputed period, with the German manufacturer responsible for the official management of its young drivers.

The 19-year-old’s entourage has not publicly commented, but is reportedly confident the agreement was terminated legally.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff and junior program chief Gwen Lagrue - who is reportedly headed to Red Bull - could be called as witnesses during future hearings.

Antonelli will begin the summer break leading the world championship regardless of the result in Hungary.

"Well, it’s not bad," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport when asked about taking a championship lead into the holiday.

"I’m very relaxed and will enjoy the holidays more than last year, because I know I’ve done a great job with the team in this first part of the season."

"I have no doubts about my future, so I can focus only on racing."

However, the Mercedes driver admitted he is ready for a break after beginning preparations for the season in early January.

"It’s been over seven months of intense racing, and I need to take a break, have fun, and think about other things, so I can then get back to work as best I can."

"Even though I know I’ll be tired of it after four days."