Atletico Madrid‘s newly signed forward Giacomo Raspadori chose Ferrari Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc over his fellow Italian Kimi Antonelli during a social media game shortly after joining the Spanish club in August 2025. Raspadori, who recently transferred from Napoli to Atletico Madrid, highlighted the shared roots he and Antonelli have in Italy’s Emilia-Romagna region but ultimately favored Leclerc as his pick.
On August 12, Atletico Madrid confirmed the acquisition of the 25-year-old Italian from Napoli, with football journalist Fabrizio Romano reporting an initial transfer fee of €22 million (approximately $25.7 million). Following the announcement, Atletico posted an Instagram reel featuring Raspadori, where he was asked to choose between two personalities. When prompted to select between Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc or Kimi Antonelli, Raspadori’s response was immediate.
He stated,
“Leclerc. But by hometown is near where Antonelli is from. He’s from Emilia-Romagna.”
Although he briefly reconsidered, he jokingly ended up selecting both drivers. Raspadori was born in Bentivoglio, a commune within the Metropolitan City of Bologna, the same area where Antonelli also hails from. Despite this close geographical connection, Raspadori’s first preference was Leclerc, who has been closely associated with Ferrari since joining the team in 2019 and is often regarded as a leading figure in modern F1.
Leclerc, nicknamed the “Prince of Ferrari,” continues to impress during the 2025 Formula 1 season despite Ferrari’s struggles as a team. The 27-year-old Monegasque has secured five podium finishes so far, with his best performance being a second-place finish at the Monaco Grand Prix. His ability to maximize the SF 25 car’s potential in a challenging year has caught the attention of fans and analysts alike.
Leclerc Praises Ferrari Boss Fred Vasseur’s Calm Leadership
Charles Leclerc recently described Ferrari’s team principal Fred Vasseur as a “cold-blooded” leader, crediting him for bringing much-needed composure and clarity to a highly emotional team environment. Vasseur, who has been with Ferrari since 2023 and recently extended his contract for multiple seasons, has introduced a more measured and long-term vision for the Scuderia.
Leclerc elaborated on Vasseur’s impact during a media interview, emphasizing how the team’s intense emotional environment can sometimes be a disadvantage.
“I feel that the beauty of Ferrari is the fact that emotionally it’s always intense, but it can also harm us in some ways, especially when tougher times arrive. Fred has always had very cold blood in those moments and helped the team to be a little bit more, lucid,”
Leclerc said, via RacingNews365.
He added,
“That’s the biggest thing Fred has brought to the team.”
Leclerc’s remarks underline Vasseur’s role in stabilizing Ferrari’s internal dynamics and guiding the team through challenging circumstances.
The arrival of Fred Vasseur brought a strategic shift aimed at long-term success, a path that Leclerc believes is now well embedded within the squad. This approach contrasts with Ferrari’s historically emotional style and promises a more consistent performance outlook moving forward.
Raspadori’s preference for Leclerc over Antonelli not only reflects his admiration for the Ferrari star’s current achievements but also highlights Leclerc’s status as one of Italy’s most prominent and respected sports figures. With Raspadori now starting a new chapter in Madrid, his unexpected choice offers insight into the sporting icons that inspire him beyond football, reinforcing Leclerc’s growing influence in Italy and beyond.
