Andrea Kimi Antonelli, born on August 25, 2006, in Bologna, Italy, is a prodigious talent in the world of motorsport, currently making waves as a Formula 1 driver for Mercedes. At just 18 years old, Antonelli has already established himself as one of the most promising young drivers in the sport, stepping into the shoes of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season.
Known for his remarkable skill and composure, Antonelli’s rapid ascent through the ranks of motorsport has captured the attention of fans and experts alike. His journey from karting to Formula 1 is a testament to his talent, determination, and the unwavering support of his family, particularly his parents, Marco and Veronica Antonelli.
Kimi Antonelli parents
Kimi’s parents, Marco and Veronica Antonelli, have played pivotal roles in shaping his career and personal growth. Marco Antonelli, born on July 18, 1964, in Bologna, is a former racing driver and a prominent figure in motorsport. His racing career began in 1992 in the Italian Superturismo Championship, and he later competed in various GT series, including the European Touring Car Championship, Blancpain GT Series, and Lamborghini Super Trofeo, where he achieved a career-best second place in the 2017 Lamborghini Super Trofeo Middle East-Am. While Marco never clinched a championship title, his experience as a driver and his entrepreneurial spirit led him to found Antonelli Motorsport in 1993, which later evolved into AKM Motorsport. Based in San Marino, AKM Motorsport has competed successfully in disciplines such as the Italian GT Championship, Porsche Carrera Cup Italia, and the Italian F4 Championship, providing a strong foundation for Kimi’s early racing career. Marco’s influence on Kimi is profound; he recognized his son’s talent early, notably when a 10-year-old Kimi drove a race Lamborghini alongside him at Adria, convincing Marco of his potential. Despite initially hoping Kimi might pursue football, Marco embraced his son’s passion for racing, guiding him through karting and into single-seater racing.
Veronica Antonelli, Kimi’s mother, has been a quieter but equally vital presence in his life. Little is publicly known about her professional background, as she has largely stayed out of the spotlight. However, her contributions to Kimi’s career are significant. Veronica has been a constant source of emotional support, accompanying Kimi to races from a young age, even as early as one month old when she brought him to the paddock while Marco raced. In an interview with Formula 2, Kimi expressed gratitude for his mother’s unwavering presence during challenging moments, noting that she helped him stay grounded and humble. Veronica’s role extended beyond the racetrack; she emphasized the importance of education, with Kimi stating in a Formula 1 interview that he completed his schooling to honor her wishes. The Antonelli family, including Kimi’s younger sister, maintains a private life, but their close-knit bond and shared passion for motorsport have been instrumental in Kimi’s rise. The family’s home in Casalecchio di Reno, near Bologna, reflects their racing heritage, with Kimi’s room adorned with trophies and memorabilia, including photos of Ayrton Senna and Lewis Hamilton, highlighting the sport’s influence on their lives.
Career
Antonelli’s motorsport journey began at the age of seven in 2014, when he started karting under the guidance of his father’s team, Antonelli Motorsport. His talent was evident early on, as he clinched the Easykart International Grand Final in 2015 and went on to dominate various karting categories. By 2018, after joining the Mercedes Junior Team, Kimi won the WSK Champions Cup, South Garda Winter Cup, and ROK Cup International Final in the Mini class. In 2019, he progressed to the OK-Junior category, securing victories in the WSK Super Master Series, WSK Euro Series, and South Garda Winter Cup with Rosberg Racing Academy. His senior karting debut in the OK class in 2020 was marked by a European Championship win at age 14, earning him the FIA Karting Rookie of the Year award. Despite a setback from a crash-induced injury at the 2020 World Championship, Kimi successfully defended his European Championship title in 2021 in the OK class and competed in the KZ gearbox class, aiming to break Max Verstappen’s record as the youngest KZ World Champion.
Antonelli transitioned to single-seater racing in 2021, making his debut in the Italian F4 Championship with Prema Powerteam at the age of 15. He quickly showcased his potential, securing three podiums at Monza in his first season. In 2022, he dominated the Italian F4 Championship, winning 13 races and claiming the title by 104 points, while also securing the ADAC Formula 4 Championship. In 2023, Antonelli skipped Formula 3 and moved to Formula Regional, winning both the Middle East and European championships with Mumbai Falcons and Prema, respectively. His 2024 season in FIA Formula 2 with Prema was a learning curve, but he still managed two race wins and finished sixth in the standings, proving his readiness for Formula 1. Antonelli’s first F1 experience came in 2024 during a free practice session at the Italian Grand Prix, where he set the fastest lap before crashing at Parabolica. Despite this, Mercedes confirmed him as Hamilton’s replacement for 2025, partnering him with George Russell. His standout moment came at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, where he became the youngest driver in history to take pole in a Sprint race at 18 years and 250 days, signaling his potential to compete at the highest level.
Accolades
Antonelli’s career is decorated with numerous accolades that underscore his status as a generational talent. In karting, he won the Easykart International Grand Final (2015), WSK Champions Cup (2018), South Garda Winter Cup (2018, 2019), WSK Super Master Series (2019), WSK Euro Series (2019, 2020), and the CIK-FIA European Championship in the OK class (2020, 2021). He was named FIA Karting Rookie of the Year in 2020. In single-seater racing, Antonelli claimed the Italian F4 Championship (2022), ADAC Formula 4 Championship (2022), Formula Regional Middle East Championship (2023), and Formula Regional European Championship (2023).
He also won a gold medal for Italy at the 2022 FIA Motorsport Games in the Formula 4 category and secured race victories in Italian GT3. In Formula 2, despite a challenging 2024 season, he achieved two race wins and two podiums, finishing sixth in the championship. His historic Sprint pole at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix further cements his reputation as a driver capable of rewriting records.