Kimi will become the third youngest F1 driver when he makes his debut next year in Australia
Finlay McSporran
Published: 17:34, 31st August 2024
Mercedes have signed the 18-year-old for next season despite his less than perfect FP1 outing yesterday.
Who is Kimi Antionelli?
The Italian has been dominating the junior formula’s in recent years, winning titles in Italian F4, ADAC F4, formula regional middle east and European championships. Kimi also has an illustrious karting career which grabbed the attention of Mercedes who signed him up as a junior driver back in 2019.
After winning the Formula regional European championship last year, Mercedes made the decision for him to skip Formula 3 altogether and go straight into F2 with Prema for 2024, alongside Ferrari prospect Oliver Bearman.
However this season has been a little underwhelming for him as his Prema team have struggled to adapt to the new F2 car meaning that he couldn’t launch a title attack in the same way that he has in other series.
Despite that however, Kimi has shown great promise so far this year with a maiden win in the wet at Silverstone and Feature race win in Hungary. He is also currently ahead of his teammate Bearman in the standings, a driver who has already shown his talent in an F1 car earlier this year in Saudi Arabia.
Antonelli made his Formula 1 debut yesterday during FP1 for the Italian Grand Prix, his home race. As soon as he left the pits he looked on it, attacking the Kerbs and pushing the car to it’s limits to go P1. However a snap of oversteer on his second push lap sent him flying into the barriers at Parabolica just 5 minutes into the session.
What the team said
After hitting the barriers team boss Toto Wolf came on the radio to Kimi, Saying “Kimi all good, all good Kimi”. After all he’s a rookie, these things happen, and it doesn’t take away from the fact that before the crash he was absolutely flying, and combined with what we’ve saw from his junior career the pace is clearly there. Which is why Mercedes made the decision to sign him to replace Lewis Hamilton at the team in 2025.
This morning Toto Wolf said “We know it will be another big step up, but he has impressed us in his F1 testing this year and we will be supporting him every step of the way in the learning process.
“In George, he has an experienced team-mate from which he can learn and hone his craft. I am confident that both will contribute greatly as we continue to build momentum and fight at the front of the field.”
Kimi’s new teammate for 2025, George Russel, had the following to say “I’m really excited to be partnering with Kimi for 2025. His record in junior formula has been formidable and his promotion is truly deserved. He’s a fantastic young talent and a fellow graduate of our junior programme”.
Antonelli said “It is an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes works driver alongside George for 2025.
“Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a small boy; I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me in my career so far and the faith they’ve shown in me. I am still learning a lot, but I feel ready for the opportunity. I will be focused on getting better and delivering the best possible results for the team”.
Effect on the Driver Market
With Kimi’s place at Mercedes now confirmed it leaves just two seats left on the 2025 driver market, one at VCARB and one at Sauber. The VCARB seat will likely go to Liam Lawson, as Helmut Marko said Liam will “definitely be in one of our cars next season”(2025).
As for the other seat at Sauber it’s a bit more complicated, with current driver Valtteri Bottas fighting for his future at the team, meanwhile new team boss Mateo Binotto has been considering younger divers for the role, such as F2 racer Gabrielle Bortoleto.
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