the motorsport world buzzed with excitement. Mercedes announced that Andrea Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old Italian racing prodigy, would join their Formula 1 team for the 2025 season. Kimi, as he is popularly known, is replacing the legendary Lewis Hamilton. This news marked a big moment for the young driver. His journey from karting to Formula 1 is inspiring. Let’s dive into his life, career, and dreams in this detailed biography.
Early Life And Family
Kimi Antonelli was born on August 25, 2006, in Bologna, Italy. His full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His middle name, Kimi, comes from a family friend’s suggestion. It is not linked to the famous Formula 1 champion Kimi Räikkönen, though many fans think so. Kimi grew up in a family that loved motorsport. His father, Marco Antonelli, is a former race car driver. Marco also owns AKM Motorsport, a racing team. His mother, Veronica, worked in motorsport too. She supported Kimi by taking him to races. Kimi’s family played a big role in his love for racing. As a child, his father wanted him to play football. But Kimi’s heart was set on racing cars. At just seven years old, he began karting. This was the start of his incredible journey.
Kimi Antonelli Age, Wikipedia, Biography, Net Worth, Birthday, Salary
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
| Nickname | Kimi |
| Date of Birth | August 25, 2006 |
| Place of Birth | Bologna, Italy |
| Age (as of July 2025) | 18 years old |
| Family | Father: Marco Antonelli (former racer, owns AKM Motorsport); Mother: Veronica Antonelli |
| Education | ITCS Gaetano Salvemini, Italy (International Relations, Marketing) |
| Racing Start | Began karting at age 7 in 2014 |
| Early Karting Achievements | 2015: Trofeo Easykart Italia (60 cc), Easykart International Grand Final; 2018: WSK Champions Cup, South Garda Winter Cup; 2019: WSK Super Master Series, WSK Euro Series; 2020: European Championship (OK class) |
| Single-Seater Debut | 2021: Italian F4 Championship (age 15) |
| Major Junior Achievements | 2022: Italian F4 & ADAC F4 Champion, FIA Motorsport Games gold; 2023: Formula Regional Middle East & European Champion |
| Formula 2 Career | 2024: Prema Racing; 6th in standings; wins at Silverstone & Hungary |
| Formula 1 Debut | 2025: Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team; replaced Lewis Hamilton; debut at Australian GP (4th place) |
| F1 Records | Youngest to lead a lap (Japan 2025); youngest pole-sitter in Sprint (Miami 2025); third-youngest podium (Canada 2025) |
| Notable F1 Moments | 2024: Crash in FP1 at Italian GP; 2024: 12th in FP at Mexico GP; 2025: Podium at Canadian GP |
| Racing Number | 12 (success in Formula Regional) |
| Team Support | Joined Mercedes Junior Team in 2018 |
| Net Worth (Estimated) | ~$1 million |
| Social Media | Instagram: 1.6 million followers |
| Personal Life | Lives in Bologna; private about relationships (rumored: Chiaretta) |
| Personality | Calm, focused, humble; admired for energy and smile |
| Challenges | 2020: Broke leg; 2024: Car reliability issues in F2; 2024: F1 debut crash at Monza |
| Inspiration | Admires Lewis Hamilton; aims for F1 World Championship |
| Future Goals | Win F1 races and World Championship |
Karting: The First Steps
Kimi’s racing career began in 2014. He was only seven. He started karting with his father’s team. Kimi showed talent right away. He was fast and fearless. In 2015, he won his first big title. It was the Trofeo Easykart Italia in the 60 cc class. That same year, he won the Easykart International Grand Final. Starting from 22nd place, he fought his way to victory. This showed his skill even at a young age. By 2016, Kimi was racing in bigger competitions. He finished in the top three in events like the Italian Cup. In 2017, he won a round of the Italian Karting Championship. His speed and focus caught everyone’s attention.
In 2018, Kimi joined the Mercedes Junior Team. This was a big step. Mercedes saw his potential early. That year, he won many karting titles. He took the WSK Champions Cup and the South Garda Winter Cup. In 2019, Kimi moved to OK-Junior, a top karting category for young drivers. He dominated again. He won the WSK Super Master Series and the WSK Euro Series. By 2020, Kimi was racing in the senior OK class. He was only 13. He won the European Championship that year. In 2021, he moved to the KZ gearbox class. He aimed to be the youngest KZ World Champion. Though he didn’t win, he showed great promise. A crash in 2020 left him with a broken leg. But Kimi came back stronger. His karting years built his confidence and skill.
Moving to Single-Seater Racing
In 2021, Kimi tried single-seater racing. He was just 15. He raced in the Italian F4 Championship. This was his first time in a race car. He didn’t win, but he learned a lot. In 2022, Kimi had a breakout year. He joined Prema Racing, a top team. He won the Italian F4 Championship. He also won the ADAC Formula 4 Championship in Germany. These victories proved he was ready for bigger challenges. Kimi’s driving was smooth and smart. He won races with ease. He also won a gold medal at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games for Italy. This added to his growing fame.
In 2023, Kimi moved to Formula Regional racing. He raced in the Middle East Championship with Mumbai Falcons. He won the title by a big margin. He also won the Formula Regional European Championship with Prema. Kimi’s success in these series showed he was special. Many teams noticed him. Mercedes, who had supported him since 2018, believed he was ready for more. Instead of moving to Formula 3, Kimi skipped to Formula 2 in 2024. This was a bold move. Formula 2 is very competitive. It’s the step just below Formula 1.
Formula 2 and the Road to F1
In 2024, Kimi raced in Formula 2 with Prema Racing. The season was tough. The team struggled with an unreliable car. Kimi faced challenges but stayed focused. He didn’t win the championship, but he showed flashes of brilliance. His first win came at Silverstone in a wet Sprint Race. He won again in Hungary. At Spa, he made a daring move in the rain. He passed another driver at Eau Rouge, a dangerous corner. Fans and experts were amazed. Kimi finished sixth in the 2024 Formula 2 standings. This was impressive for a rookie. His wins proved he could handle pressure.
Mercedes gave Kimi his first Formula 1 test in April 2024. He drove the 2021 Mercedes W12 at the Red Bull Ring. He later tested the 2022 W13 car at tracks like Imola and Silverstone. Kimi’s pace was fast and consistent. His first official F1 session was at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. He drove in Free Practice 1. He set the fastest lap early but crashed at a corner. The crash was a setback, but Kimi was unhurt. He learned from the mistake. At the Mexico Grand Prix, he got another chance in Free Practice. He finished 12th but had to stop early due to car damage. These sessions showed Kimi’s speed and potential.
Formula 1 Debut in 2025
In 2025, Kimi joined Mercedes for his full Formula 1 debut. He became the third-youngest driver to start an F1 race. At the Australian Grand Prix, he started 16th but finished fourth. This was a stunning result for a rookie. He scored points in his first three races. In Japan, Kimi made history. He became the youngest driver to lead a lap in F1. He also set the fastest lap. At the Miami Grand Prix, he became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history for a Sprint Race. These records showed his talent. However, Kimi faced challenges too. He crashed in Monaco qualifying. His home race at Imola ended early. He also had a collision with Max Verstappen in Austria. This led to a penalty. But Kimi’s highlight was a podium finish at the Canadian Grand Prix. He was the third-youngest driver to achieve this.
Personal Life and Personality
Kimi is more than just a racer. He is a teenager with big dreams. He studied at ITCS Gaetano Salvemini in Italy. His subjects were international relations and marketing. He learned English during race weekends. Kimi is private about his personal life. Rumors say he might be dating someone named Chiaretta. But he keeps his focus on racing. He lives in Bologna, close to his family. His father, Marco, is his biggest supporter. Marco once said Kimi showed talent at 10. That was when Kimi drove a Lamborghini with him. Kimi’s mother, Veronica, has been at every race. She keeps him grounded.
Kimi is known for his calm nature. He doesn’t let fame get to him. Fans love his energy and smile. He has 1.6 million followers on Instagram. He shares race highlights and moments with friends. Kimi’s net worth is around $1 million. This comes from his racing, sponsorships, and endorsements. As a Mercedes driver, his earnings will grow. Kimi’s racing number is 12. He chose it because he won titles with it in Formula Regional.
Challenges and Future Goals
Kimi’s journey hasn’t been easy. His 2020 karting crash was a low point. The Formula 2 season was tough too. His F1 crash at Monza raised doubts. Some said he wasn’t ready for Formula 1. But Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believed in him. Kimi proved the doubters wrong with his 2025 performances. He admires Lewis Hamilton’s driving style. He says it’s similar to his own. Kimi wants to win races and championships. He dreams of being a world champion like Hamilton.
Why Kimi Inspires
Kimi Antonelli is a name to watch. At 18, he’s already breaking records. His journey from karting to Formula 1 is a story of hard work. He comes from a racing family, but he earned his place. His speed, bravery, and calm nature make him special. Fans in Italy are proud. He’s the first Italian F1 driver since 2021. Kimi’s story shows that dreams can come true. With Mercedes, he has a bright future. The world waits to see how far this young star will go.