Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian driver poised to join Mercedes in F1, has passed his driving test in preparation for his debut season in 2025. Antonelli, considered a rising star since his karting days, will partner with George Russell at Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the newest addition to the Mercedes Formula 1 team, has successfully passed his driving test ahead of his highly anticipated debut season in 2025. Antonelli is set to become Lewis Hamilton's successor at the iconic team following Hamilton's surprising move to Ferrari. The 18-year-old Italian prodigy, hailed as the most promising talent to enter F1 since Max Verstappen's arrival in 2015, will partner with George Russell in the Silver Arrows.
Antonelli's debut is scheduled for the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on March 16, making him one of the youngest drivers to ever compete in F1. The young star celebrated this significant milestone by sharing a picture on Instagram, showing himself giving a thumbs-up from behind the wheel of the car used for his test. Reports from Italy suggest that Antonelli took his driving test in San Marino, near the Imola circuit where he resides. It is believed that he made only a minor error during his theory test and then proceeded to demonstrate his practical skills in a Volkswagen Golf. To prepare for the practical assessment, particularly the challenges of maneuvering a manual gearbox, Antonelli reportedly spent time driving his father's nine-seater Fiat Scudo van around the streets of Bologna, gaining valuable experience. Antonelli's father, Marco, who manages a team in the International GT Open sportscar championship, is said to have emphasized the importance of this training for his son's transition into F1. This meticulous preparation mirrors the experience of Max Verstappen, who famously waited until late in his debut season in 2015 to pass his driving test, securing his license just days after his 14th F1 race at the 2015 Japanese Grand Prix. Verstappen, the youngest driver in F1 history, made his debut at the age of 17 years, five months, and 15 days. He has previously shared that he narrowly avoided failing his driving test after almost not yielding to pedestrians at a crossing, leading to a heated exchange with his examiner. This anecdote highlights the importance of attentiveness and respect for road rules even for elite drivers.
FORMULA 1 ANDREA KIMI ANTONELLI MERCEDES GEORGE RUSSELL DRIVING TEST DEBUT LEWIS HAMILTON FERRARI YOUNGEST DRIVER
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