
🏎️ Youngest Mercedes F1 Driver Ready for the Grid
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian prodigy, has officially passed his driving test—a milestone that comes just six weeks before his Formula 1 debut at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
📢 Antonelli is set to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, joining forces with George Russell for the 2025 season.
🔹 Born: August 25, 2006
🔹 Nationality: Italian 🇮🇹
🔹 F1 Team: Mercedes-AMG Petronas
🔹 Race Debut: Australian Grand Prix, March 2025
“Mission Completed” – Mercedes Celebrates Antonelli’s Achievement
Antonelli, who only turned 18 last August, had to wait for the legal driving age in Italy before obtaining his license.
🚗 Mercedes shared the moment on social media, posting:
“Mission completed ✅ Driving Licence ✅ Super Licence ✅”
The post featured a thumbs-up photo of Antonelli in a driving school car, adding to the excitement surrounding his historic F1 journey.
🛑 Fun fact: Despite preparing for one of the fastest racing series in the world, Antonelli wasn’t legally allowed to drive on Italian roads until now!
Thousands of Miles in F1 Testing
🚀 Antonelli has already completed thousands of miles in F1 testing, fine-tuning his skills ahead of his highly anticipated debut.
🔹 Official Pre-Season Testing Dates: 📅 February 26-28, Bahrain
🔹 Testing Partner: George Russell
The young Italian will split the three-day test session with his teammate to ensure he is fully prepared for the high-speed action in Melbourne.
Antonelli’s Rapid Rise to Formula 1
Antonelli’s journey to one of the most prestigious seats in motorsport has been nothing short of remarkable:
🏆 FIA Formula 4 Champion (2022)
🏆 FIA Formula Regional European Champion (2023)
💨 Skipped Formula 2 entirely, heading straight to F1
Mercedes’ faith in Antonelli highlights his immense talent and potential, making him one of the most exciting rookies in years.
What’s Next for Antonelli?
With his driving license secured and his F1 debut approaching, Antonelli is now laser-focused on:
✅ Mastering the Mercedes W16 ahead of the season opener
✅ Gaining real-world F1 race experience in Bahrain testing
✅ Making a strong first impression at the Australian GP
🔥 Can Antonelli follow in Lewis Hamilton’s footsteps and become Mercedes’ next big star?
💬 What are your expectations for Antonelli’s rookie season in F1? Share your thoughts in the comments!