Kimi Antonelli is less than two months away from becoming the third-youngest driver to participate in a Formula 1 grand prix.
The 18-year-old is a karting champion across Europe, competed in the Formula 4 series in Italy and Germany, and won two races in the 2024 Formula 2 season.
But Mercedes’ young rookie, who will partner George Russell this season, has recently achieved a major milestone in his life.
He now has his driver’s licence.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli after passing his drivers licence test in Italy. (Instagram: @kimi.antonelli)
The minimum age allowed to drive a car in Italy is 18 and Antonelli, presumably to the relief for Mercedes, passed his test.
The teen took to social media to announce his big success, writing “Mission completed” with an image of him in the test car.
Mercedes also posted the big accomplishment for their 18-year-old racer, who will take part in his first grand prix in Melbourne.
Antonelli replaces Lewis Hamilton, who switched to Ferrari after a historically-successful partnership with Mercedes.
As a driver for the Silver Arrows, Hamilton won six of his seven world drivers’ championships and spearheaded Mercedes to eight consecutive constructors’ championships from 2014-2021.
Mercedes will officially launch their 2025 challenger on February 24, two days before pre-season testing begins in Bahrain.
