Who is Kimi Antonelli?
May 3, Miami Grand Prix

F1 returns after a five-week hiatus caused by conflict in the
Middle East, amid a raft of changes to engine regulations, Mercedes
driver Kimi Antonelli aims to sustain his historic start to the season

Aug 25, 2006: Born in Bologna,
Italy, son of former racing driver
Marco Antonelli. Begins karting
aged 7, rising through ranks and
claiming titles in several categories

2019: Scouted by Mercedes,
joining teams’ Junior Programme 

2019-2021: Dominates karting
titles at Rosberg Racing Academy.
Steps up in class to win FIA
European Championship
in 2020. Makes debut in F4

2022-23: Adds German
and Italian F4 titles, before
wider success in regional series

2024: Accelerates to F2 – 
bypassing entire F3 class – winning
races at Silverstone and Budapest.
Makes F1 practice debut in Monza

2025: F1 debut in Melbourne.
Becomes third-youngest driver to start
Grand Prix – finishes season in 7th
with 150pts, achieving three podiums

Mar 15, 2026: Composed
breakthrough drive to clinch maiden
victory in China – second-youngest
race winner in F1 history 

Mar 29: Benefits from safety car
to take victory in Suzuka from pole
position. Youngest World Drivers’
Championship leader, aged 19

Race statistics
2025 result: Top 6 places
Oscar Piastri	McLaren
Lando Norris	McLaren
George Russell	Mercedes
Max Verstappen	Red Bull
Alexander Albon	Williams
Kimi Antonelli	Mercedes

Driver
victories:
Verstappen (2022, 2023),
Norris (2024), Piastri (2025)

Constructor
victories:
Red Bull, 2
McLaren, 2

Lap record:
Verstappen, 2023
1:29.708

Sources: FIA, Pirelli
Picture: Getty Images
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