| Age | 18 |
| Occupation | Driver |
| Company | Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team |
| Country | Italy |
| Position Last Year | New |
Andrea Kimi Antonelli — known best by his middle name, Kimi — is the name lighting up the Formula 1 paddock as he embarks on his rookie season with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. At just 18 years old, the Italian sensation has made a meteoric rise through the motorsport ranks, earning a seat alongside fellow Mercedes junior graduate George Russell for the 2025 season.
🚀 Early Start, Fast Climb
Born in Bologna, Italy, in 2006, Kimi began karting competitively in 2014, showing raw speed and relentless determination from the start. He rapidly moved through the karting tiers, collecting trophies and titles across Europe.
His undeniable talent caught the eye of Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff, and in April 2019, Kimi joined the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Junior Programme — a pivotal moment in his career.
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🏆 Karting Dominance
2019 was a breakout year. Kimi won the WSK Euro Series and Super Master Series in the OK Junior category finished runner-up in the FIA Karting European Championship and placed fifth in the World Championship — a stunning feat for such a young driver.
In 2020, he moved up to the OK class, winning the FIA Karting European Championship and another WSK Euro Series title, proving he could dominate across levels.
🏎 From Karting to Formula Glory
In 2021, after another successful karting season, Kimi leapt to single-seater racing with Prema Racing in the Italian Formula 4 Championship, debuting in the final three rounds and immediately scoring podiums.
2022 saw him race full-time in both Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships. The result? Total domination:
22 wins, 21 pole positions, and two championship titles from 35 races. It was a truly remarkable performance that cemented his place as a rising star.
🌍 European Champion to F2 Contender
In 2023, Kimi conquered the Formula Regional European Championship by Alpine (FRECA) with five wins and six podiums, again racing for Prema.
Then came Formula 2 in 2024 — and with it, another challenge. Many expected a learning curve, but Kimi exceeded expectations. He claimed multiple victories and finished sixth overall, showing maturity and racecraft well beyond his years.
🔥 The Next Big Thing in Formula 1
Now, in 2025, Kimi steps onto the biggest stage of them all: Formula 1. Teaming up with George Russell at Mercedes, he becomes the latest graduate of the team’s elite driver development program to reach the top.
Kimi Antonelli represents the future of F1 — fast, focused, and fiercely talented. With the guidance of a championship-winning team and a decade of experience packed into his young career, he’s not just here to learn. He’s here to compete.