Behind the scenes of Kimi Antonelli’s driving test: “He didn’t know how to change gears”. "He didn't know how to change gears": Kimi Antonelli’s road test examiner speaks out.

In the world of Formula 1, where drivers push every corner to the limit, it’s almost funny to think that Andrea Kimi Antonelli, now one of the rising stars of the F1 grid, didn’t even have a driver’s license until shortly before his debut. The young Italian only took his practical driving test a few weeks before making his first appearance at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix, facing a very different kind of challenge than the high-speed circuits he’s used to on track.

The story of the test: “He was extremely nervous!”

The examiner, Sara Giusti, revealed several behind-the-scenes details to Gazzetta dello Sport about Antonelli’s test:

“When he arrived at the San Marino driving center, he was extremely nervous. He had studied the rules from the manuals, but the written quiz is a challenge for everyone. He only got one question wrong regarding the parking lights. After all, on the track you race—you don’t stop. I asked Kimi how long the Melbourne circuit was. He confidently answered, ‘Five kilometers.’ I said, ‘Then we’ll drive the same distance here in San Marino.’ It was a bit like a rehearsal for his F1 debut.”

Antonelli passes, but with some challenges

During the practical test, the young driver showed great attention, though he faced some difficulties adapting to a “regular” car:

“He’s not used to driving cars with a manual gearbox. He was a bit awkward with the gears and pedals, but very careful to respect the limits. I have to admit that during a couple of overtakes he forgot to signal. I immediately reminded him: ‘I know your job is to overtake other drivers, but on the road you have to indicate it.’ He corrected himself right away. He couldn’t make mistakes—the next available date would have been during the racing season. When I told him he had passed, he was overjoyed.”

This charming anecdote highlights the grounded personality of Italy’s newest racing hero. As Kimi Antonelli continues to climb the ranks and challenge the established elite in the 2026 season, he does so with his official license in his pocket—and hopefully, a better understanding of when to use his indicators on the streets of Monte Carlo.