Rising Star Antonelli Targets World Title with Mercedes

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has no doubts: he is determined to claim Formula 1’s biggest prize with Mercedes, sooner rather than later.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli entered the season under huge pressure, yet he might have impressed the most. The young Italian star backed by Mercedes has consistently finished in the top six this year, showing maturity beyond his age.

But who is the man behind the rising F1 talent from Bologna? What is Andrea Kimi Antonelli really like?

“There are actually two different Kimis,” Antonelli told FOM. “There’s the Kimi you see on track and the Kimi off it.”

“Off track, I’m quite calm. I like spending time alone but I also enjoy hanging out with friends and family. I can get a bit crazy when it comes to having fun though. That’s the off-track Kimi.”

“On track, I’m completely passionate and very focused. I care a lot about results and performance.”

Antonelli’s love for racing started early thanks to his father.

“My dad passed down his passion to me. He used to race when he was younger and later started his own racing team. I grew up around tracks and naturally fell in love with motorsport.”

“I remember watching F1 races at home when I was about five or six years old. That’s when I really became hooked.”

His first experience behind the wheel came even earlier.

“I sat in a go-kart when I was two. Obviously, I was way too small to reach the pedals. I was so upset that my dad ended up putting me on his lap.”

Now just having turned 18, Antonelli recently passed his driving test on the first attempt, even if it was a bit nerve-wracking.

“It was intense, I’m not going to lie. I knew I only had one shot. I hadn’t really driven manual cars before, nor had I practiced parallel or reverse parking much.”

“Getting it done on the first try felt amazing, especially because if I had failed, I had no idea when I’d have had another chance. Plus, I really didn’t want to keep relying on my mom for rides!”

Among the many rookies on the F1 grid this year, Antonelli has a strong bond with one in particular: Haas driver Oliver Bearman.

“He was my teammate last year in F2. We got along really well and stayed close after that. I’m glad he made it to F1 too. I’d say he’s my best friend in the paddock.”

If Antonelli could invite three F1 legends to dinner, who would he choose?

“There are so many options! I’d pick Fernando Alonso. I saw a picture of him and George Russell in a nightclub recently, and he looked like someone you’d have a lot of fun with.”

“I’d also take George because he seems like a dangerous but fun party guy.”

“And then Max Verstappen. He looks like he knows how to have a good time too.”

When it comes to career advice, Antonelli says he’s been fortunate to receive a lot of good guidance.

“The biggest one is to stay humble. No matter what you achieve, you’re not better than anyone else.”

“I feel very lucky that my job is also my passion.”

“Another piece of advice is to always believe in yourself and surround yourself with the right people, people you can trust. Having a strong circle is crucial, especially when things get tough.”

“And always be self-critical. Look at what you could have done better, learn from your mistakes, and keep growing not just as a driver but also as a person.”

If racing had not been an option, Antonelli has some interesting career alternatives.

“I’d love to be a car designer or even design my own house.”

“Or be an NBA player for a day. I’ve really gotten into basketball lately. I’ve never been to a game live but I’m looking forward to when we race in the US.”

“Music too… but honestly, I’m a terrible singer. I’d need full auto-tune, like really heavy auto-tune, otherwise it would be painful for anyone to hear.”

Looking ahead, where does Antonelli see himself in five years?

“I definitely still want to be in Formula 1, and hopefully winning. I’d love to have a few race wins and the ultimate goal is obviously to become World Champion.”

“I hope I achieve that within five years. But more than anything, I just want to be in F1, doing what I love, with some strong results under my belt.”

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Rising Star Antonelli Targets World Title with Mercedes
Rising Star Antonelli Targets World Title with Mercedes