Who is Kimi Antonelli, the F1 hopeful?

The whole (Formula 1) city is talking about it. Kimi Antonelli, 18 years old, from Bologna. Phenomenon in the making, champion (for now) due to lack of evidence (which will come soon). In any case: child prodigy. Starting next year he will drive the Mercedes. He is the chosen one to replace Lewis Hamiltonwho has already signed his move to Ferrari. Kimi the heir to the throne, the little prince with the magic touch, the very talented driver that F1 is anxiously awaiting to give itself a makeover of the future. From 2025 an Italian driver will return to the Circus, the last one was four years ago Anthony Giovinazziin Alfa Romeo in 2021. Fun fact: just a few days ago – he was born on August 25, 2006 – Kimi turned eighteen, the driving license age.

Antonelli – who will run with the number 12 – will be paired with George Russell. The Italian will make the leap from F2 and the team’s junior program. Antonelli is thrilled. These are his first words on the official announcement from Mercedes: “It’s an amazing feeling to be announced as a Mercedes factory driver alongside George for 2025. Reaching F1 is a dream I’ve had since I was a child. I want to thank the team for the support they’ve given me so far in my career and for the trust they’ve shown in me. I’m still learning a lot, but I feel ready for this opportunity.”

The shoulders are broad, the personality is decisive, the talent is unmistakable. It matters little if – just in these days – Antonelli has tried for the first time in F1. It happened in Monza, but his debut lasted less than five minutes. He crashed, betrayed by his impatience to demonstrate everything immediately.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli – this is his full name and no, Kimi is not referring to Raikkonen (former F1 driver, ed.) – is a predestined one. He – and the future that awaits him – have been talked about for a few years now. He was introduced to speed by his father Marco, former touring driver (Peugeot, BMW and Alfa Romeo) owner of the Akm Motorsport team. Toto Wolff, the guru of Mercedes, discovered him in 2019, when he was not yet thirteen. He was racing (and winning) in karts. Wolff signed him for a decade.

In 2020 and 2021 he obtained the title of European Kart Champion in the OK category, before getting behind the wheel of a single-seater and dominating the championships in which he competed. A child prodigy, who was noticed first by the MinardiGiovanni and Giancarlo. In 2022 he won the Italian and German F4 titles. Last year he was in F2, with Prema. From 2025 it will be the turn of F1. Kimi is engaged to a colleague. Eliska Babickova, 21, born in the Czech Republic, kart driver2023 Italian champion of the OK karting class. A star is born. All in a hurry, her specialty.