Formula 1’s rising star, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, has reached another milestone in his promising career by officially passing his driving test at the age of 18. The Italian prodigy, set to race for Mercedes in the 2025 F1 season, shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo from a driving instructor’s car with the caption, “Mission complete.”
Although Antonelli now holds a standard driver’s license, he didn’t need it to secure his seat at Mercedes, where he will replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. The young driver already possessed an FIA Super Licence, the essential qualification to compete in Formula 1.
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Mercedes confirmed Antonelli as their new driver during the 2024 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, marking a historic moment for both the team and Italian motorsport. However, his first experience with F1 machinery didn’t go as smoothly, as he crashed into the trackside barriers during a practice session while filling in for George Russell. He only completed four laps, highlighting the steep learning curve ahead.
Antonelli will team up with George Russell, who finished sixth in the 2024 championship, as Mercedes looks to rebound after a challenging season. The Silver Arrows are aiming to reclaim their dominance, especially after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen clinched his fourth consecutive title in 2024.
Antonelli’s rise to F1 has generated significant excitement, particularly among Italian fans who have long hoped for a homegrown driver capable of challenging at the front. Italy has a rich motorsport heritage, but success at the highest level has been rare in recent decades. Giancarlo Fisichella was the last Italian to win a Grand Prix in 2006, while Alberto Ascari remains the country’s most recent world champion, having won the title in 1953.
