Andrea Kimi Antonelli: Mercedes' rising star ready for F1 debut in 2025 season
Andrea Kimi Antonelli may be gearing up for his first Formula One season with Mercedes, but his connection to the sport runs deep. The 18-year-old Italian, set to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, has come a long way since sneaking into the paddock as an eight-year-old—hidden inside a stack of tires by his racing driver father.
Ahead of the season launch in London, Antonelli shared a nostalgic photo of that moment, but this time, he won’t need to sneak in. When the 2025 season kicks off in Australia on March 16, he will be walking into the paddock as an official Mercedes driver.
With expectations high, Antonelli is taking a page from Hamilton’s book by focusing on performance rather than pressure. "He said mainly to enjoy, not worrying about the external circumstances—just work on yourself, enjoy the process. That was the main thing he said," Antonelli revealed, referencing the Briton's impressive rookie campaign in 2007.
"I think the key point is just starting on the right foot, on the right path," he added. "I feel like what he did really well is starting off well and then keep developing without trying to do too much. That's why he did an amazing season and that's what I'm going to try to do. So just enjoy, work hard. The mindset is going to be the same as always, trying to go on track and win."
Hamilton made an immediate impact in F1, winning four races in his debut season with McLaren before securing his first world championship the following year. Antonelli, who happens to share a first name with Kimi Räikkönen but wasn’t named after him, now has the opportunity to carve out his own legacy.
Italy, the birthplace of Ferrari and home to legendary circuits like Monza and Imola, hasn’t celebrated a Formula One world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, nor a race winner since Giancarlo Fisichella’s 2006 triumph with Renault. No Italian driver has competed in F1 since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021.
"I'm not going to lie, many Italian fans or friends, they've told me, 'Oh, we would like to see you in a Ferrari.' But to be honest, I'm very happy where I am," said Antonelli, whose long-standing relationship with Mercedes dates back to 2018.
"I've been with this team for so long now, since 2018, and they became my second family. I probably see more of them than my actual family. And I think it's going to be a good story... I think in a little bit they (Italians) will like seeing an Italian driver in a Mercedes."
As Antonelli prepares to step onto the grid in Melbourne, the reality of his F1 dream is beginning to sink in. "I'm going to realise more and more that this is actually real," he said. "The moment where I will realise for real will be Melbourne."
With his first Grand Prix on the horizon, Antonelli’s debut season promises to be one to watch as he takes his first steps in the pinnacle of motorsport with Mercedes.
SportsLigue