Photo: 2025 Imola GP, Kimi Antonelli by Jen Ross, licensed under CC BY 4.0. Cropped and resized proportionally; no other changes.
Kimi Antonelli is the Italian teenager Mercedes picked to replace Lewis Hamilton. He stepped up to Formula 1 in 2025, at 18, straight from the junior ladder. This guide covers who he is, the record that earned the seat, and why Mercedes built its new era around him.
Who is Kimi Antonelli?
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is an Italian racing driver. He was born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna. He races for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 team, carrying number 12. He joined the Mercedes junior programme as a young teenager, and the team fast-tracked him through the feeder series. His father ran a racing team, so Kimi Antonelli grew up around the sport.
The junior record behind the seat
Antonelli did not arrive by accident. He cleaned up in karting, then moved to cars early. In 2021 he took both the Italian and German Formula 4 titles. In 2023 he won the Formula Regional European and Middle East championships back to back. In 2024 he jumped straight to Formula 2 as a rookie, skipping Formula 3 entirely.
That last jump is the tell. Most drivers spend a year in Formula 3 first. Mercedes backed him to skip it. The gamble paid off, and by the end of 2024 he had the seat for the following season.
Stepping into Hamilton’s seat at Mercedes
Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes for Ferrari at the end of 2024. That opened one of the most watched seats in the sport. Mercedes handed it to an 18-year-old rookie rather than a proven race winner. It was a clear bet on the future.
The pairing with George Russell reset the team. Russell leads on experience. Antonelli brings raw pace and time on his side. Together they mark the start of a rebuild for the Silver Arrows after the Hamilton years.
Photo: 2025 Japanese GP, Mercedes, Kimi Antonelli by Liauzh, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized proportionally; no other changes.
Driving style and the prodigy label
Antonelli is smooth on entry and calm under pressure. He reads a race well for his age. In qualy trim he finds lap time quickly, and he tends to hold his head when a strategy call, like an early undercut, goes against him. Engineers rate his feedback, which matters more in a rookie than raw speed alone.
The prodigy tag comes from the timeline. Titles at every junior step, then a top seat at 18. For live results and his current points, check the official sources below, because the numbers move every race weekend.
Photo: Kimi Antonelli, 2025 US Grand Prix, Austin by Kuyper, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized proportionally; no other changes.
Fan gear for the Antonelli era
Backing the new Mercedes lineup is pretty much a no-brainer. Here are three racing-inspired picks from our range, from an everyday polo to a full team-style set. To get familiar with his stats, background story, and rapid rise to Formula 1, head over to the Kimi Antonelli driver profile.
Antonelli 2025 Racing Costume Set
$89.95
For the fan who commits to the full team look.
KozmozRacing is an independent retailer of racing-inspired fan apparel. These products are not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by Mercedes-AMG, Formula 1 or any driver.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is an Italian Formula 1 driver, born in 2006. He races for Mercedes and replaced Lewis Hamilton in the team from the 2025 season.
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
He was born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna, which made him one of the youngest drivers on the grid when he debuted in 2025.
Why did Mercedes sign Kimi Antonelli?
He is a Mercedes junior who won titles at every step of the ladder, including Formula 4 and Formula Regional. The team chose long-term potential over a proven race winner.
What car number does Kimi Antonelli use?
He races with number 12 for Mercedes-AMG Petronas.
Sources and further reading
- Formula 1 — driver profiles — official standings, results and current-season stats.
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli — full biography, junior record and race-by-race results.
- FIA — Formula 1 regulations — the sporting and technical rules he races under.
