Mercedes’ new Formula One driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has passed his driving test in Italy, just weeks before he is set to replace Lewis Hamilton at the team.
The 18-year-old Italian successfully completed the rite of passage to become road-ready ahead of his much-anticipated F1 debut in March.
Antonelli faces the daunting task of stepping into the shoes of seven-time World Champion Hamilton, who has departed for Ferrari.
The teenage prodigy will become one of the youngest drivers on the F1 grid when he makes his first race start with the Silver Arrows team.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has passed his driving test
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In contrast to some of his predecessors, Antonelli enters Formula One with a full driving licence under his belt.
This puts him ahead of Max Verstappen, who made his F1 debut in 2015 at 17 years old without having obtained a regular driving licence.
“Mission completed,” Antonelli posted on Instagram with two laughing face emojis following his successful test.
The young Italian could make history in his opening races, as victories in Australia, China, or Japan would see him surpass Verstappen’s record as the youngest-ever Grand Prix winner.
Antonelli has already had his first taste of Formula One machinery, participating in practice at last year’s Italian Grand Prix.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will replace Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes
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However, the session ended dramatically when he lost control at the Parabolica corner in a 160mph crash, hitting the tyre wall with a 45G impact.
Despite the incident, he was cleared by medical staff and returned for Formula Two duties later that day.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff remained unfazed by the crash, saying: “He’s a rookie, he’s very young, and we are prepared to invest in his future.”
“What we saw today is we have a problem slowing him down rather than making him faster,” Wolff added. “What we’ve seen from one-and-a-half laps is just astonishing.”
Antonelli will partner George Russell at Mercedes for the 2025 season.
The Italian arrives with strong credentials from Formula Two, where he finished sixth last season with two race victories in the latter half of the campaign.
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The pair will look to improve Mercedes’ fortunes after the team endured their worst season since 2012, finishing fourth in the Constructors’ Championship.
Wolff has shown unwavering faith in his young protégé, having supported Antonelli through Mercedes’ junior programme.
The team principal remains confident that while there may be challenges ahead, “there will also be a lot of highlights.”
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