Photo: Mercedes-Benz Media
Formula 1's biggest secret is finally out. Kimi Antonelli will step up to the pinnacle of motorsport in 2025 after being confirmed as George Russell's new teammate at Mercedes.
Antonelli, a Mercedes junior since 2019, has quickly risen through the ranks in the feeder series. In 2024, the Italian opted to skip Formula 3 to move up to Formula 2 with long-time employers PREMA Powerteam, taking two wins and currently sitting seventh in the drivers’ standings.
The Italian, who turned 18 last Sunday, already has the FIA superlicense required to race in F1. Antonelli will have a special birthday present waiting for him on Friday morning: he represented Mercedes in FP1 at Monza, taking over from his future teammate Russell for the session.
He was already on the limit when the green light came on at the pit exit, but just under a quarter of the way through the session, Antonelli lost the rear of his car, hitting his tires at the Parabolica. Fortunately, the Italian emerged unscathed from the car and was able to take part in F2 qualifying, setting the sixth fastest time.
“It's an incredible feeling to be announced as a Mercedes factory driver alongside George for 2025,” Antonelli said in a Mercedes press release. “Reaching Formula 1 is a dream I've had since I was a little boy; I want to thank the team for the support they've given me in my career so far and for the faith they've shown in me. I'm still learning a lot, but I feel ready for this opportunity. I'll focus on improving and getting the best possible results for the team.
“I'm also very excited to be team-mate to George. He came through the team's junior program just like me and is someone I have enormous respect for. He's super fast, a multiple Grand Prix winner and has already helped me improve as a driver. I'm looking forward to learning from him and working together to give our best on track.”
Antonelli had been linked with replacing Logan Sargeant, who had been underperforming at Williams. There had been some discussion about Antonelli getting an F1 diploma earlier than expected. However, with the announcement that he would drive for Mercedes in FP1 at Monza, the British team chose to put their junior academy driver Franco Colapinto in place of the American.
The Argentine from Pilar, Greater Buenos Aires, will remain in second place at Williams for the remainder of the 2024 season.
The next great Italian hope in F1?
Photo: Mercedes Benz Media
Italy lives and breathes F1. With two teams on the grid, Ferrari and RB, and two races in Monza and Imola, it is a country of great importance in the world of motorsports.
The country is home to some of the world's best go-karting teams, with young drivers coming from all over to test their skills against Europe's best.
However, the country has been deprived of representation on the grid, as no Italian has turned up since Antonio Giovinazzi failed to finish the controversial 2021 Abu Dhabi GP.
Giuseppe Farina won the first F1 race at Silverstone in 1950 for Alfa Romeo, before becoming the sport's first world champion.
Alberto Ascari remained the last Italian world champion, having won two titles for Ferrari in 1952 and 1953 before tragically dying in a testing accident at Monza in 1955.
The 1960s saw Ferrari promote several Italians, such as Ludovico Scarfiotti and Lorenzo Bandini, to their F1 teams and, despite winning races, neither managed to win the title. Bandini suffered a terrible end after burning to death in a fiery crash at the 1967 Monaco GP.
Michele Alboreto almost ended the country's title wait in 1985, finishing second to Alain Prost while driving for Ferrari. Riccardo Patrese also took the runner-up title driving for Williams in 1992 and became the record holder for most F1 starts until Rubens Barrichello broke that record in 2008.
Elio De Angelis, the last of the great gentleman racers, won two races for Lotus in the 1980s, including one of the closest races in F1 history, the 1982 Austrian GP, less than half a car length behind Keke Rosberg. But the popular Roman was sadly unable to show his full potential after dying in a testing accident for Brabham at Paul Ricard in 1986.
Ivan Capelli became the last Italian to drive full-time for Ferrari in 1992, but had a turbulent season, picking up three points before being unceremoniously sacked with two races to go.
Giancarlo Fisichella's victory at the 2006 Malaysian GP leaves him the last Italian driver to win an F1 race.