Andrea Kimi Antonelli, a 17-year-old Italian racing sensation who is making a rise as a potential replacement for Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025.
With his sudden rise through the ranks, Antonelli has got the attention of Formula 1 fans and experts alike. His incredible performances have made his status strong as a future star in motorsport.
As Lewis Hamilton decides to move to Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s name has come up as a strong candidate to replace his seat at Mercedes.
While some reports shows that Mercedes could be taking a risk by betting on Antonelli, the young Italian has been part of the Mercedes junior program since 2019. He also enjoys the full support of Hamilton, who has given a hint that Antonelli can be a worthy successor.
Who is Andrea Kimi Antonelli?
Antonelli was born on 25th August, 2006, in Bolgana, Italy, Antonelli, who comes from a family with strong ties to racing.
His father, Marco Antonelli who was a racing driver and the owner of AKM Motorsport, a team participating in various motorsport events, including the Italian F4 Championship. Marco’s passion for racing has influenced Andrea’s career course, introducing him to the sport at a very young age.
Antonelli’s journey in motorsport started at just 7 years old when he started going for karting. His talent was visible from the start, and he quickly made a name for himself by winning numerous titles.
Also, he won the CIK-FIA Karting European Championship in 2020 and 2021, a renowned achievement shared by legends like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
With height 1.72 meters (5 feet 7 inches), Antonelli is not only physically fit for racing but also contains the spirit and determination of a new generation of drivers.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Racing Career
Antonelli’s victories in karting laid the foundation for his change to single-seater racing. In 2022, he made an important impact by dominating the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 Championships.
His amazing performance saw him win a record 13 races in the Italian F4 Championship, obtaining the title before the season ended. Also, he won in the FIA Motorsport Games Formula 4 Cup, strengthening his status as a rising star in motorsport.
Antonelli came up to compete in the Formula Regional Middle East Championship and the Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) in 2023.
He won titles in both series, achieving a total of eight wins and solidifying his reputation as an intimidating competitor. This success made the way for his much-awaited move to higher levels of racing.
By 2024, Antonelli left Formula 3 and moved directly to Formula 2 with Prema Racing. Still, he has to get a race win or podium finish in his first six F2 starts, his performances have influenced many within the paddock.
Alongside his Formula 2 commitments, Antonelli has been taking part in a special acclimatization program with Mercedes, testing their 2021 and 2022 cars at renowned circuits like the Red Bull Ring and Imola. These tests are part of his preparation for a coming future role with the Mercedes F1 team.
Is Mercedes Ready to Sign Antonelli?
Currently competing in Formula 2 with Prema Racing, Antonelli has collected important attention due to his amazing track record and strong support from key figures within Mercedes. In spite of disbelief from some critics who question if he is the right choice for Mercedes, the team has shown confidence in his skills.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has particularly said about his admiration for Antonelli. After one of Antonelli’s incredible victories at the Hungaroring, Wolff described it as a “statement” win.
While Antonelli himself has shown doubts about his readiness for Formula 1, Wolff and the Mercedes team have motivated him to continue learning and developing, seeing this growth as vital for his future in F1.