A legal dispute between Andrea Kimi Antonelli and former manager Giovanni Minardi is continuing, with Minardi’s lawyer Mattia Grassani claiming that the Mercedes driver breached their management agreement and confirming that his client remains open to a serious settlement.
The case concerns the end of Antonelli’s long-standing relationship with Minardi Management after Mercedes selected the Italian to replace Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 Formula 1 season. The next hearing is scheduled for November 19, while the parties are awaiting contractual and financial documentation that could help establish the value of the claims being made.
Kimi Antonelli and Giovanni Minardi dispute centres on former management agreement
Andrea Kimi Antonelli had been represented by Minardi Management since 2014, when Giovanni Minardi first noticed the young driver during a karting race at Sarno. Over the following years, Antonelli progressed through the junior categories before earning his opportunity in Formula 1 with Mercedes.
When Mercedes decided to place Antonelli in the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season, the Italian driver informed Giovanni Minardi that he was unilaterally terminating their contract.
In July, it emerged that Giovanni Minardi had brought a civil claim against Antonelli alleging breach of contract over payments that Minardi maintains were agreed but never paid. Antonelli’s representatives and Mercedes, meanwhile, have appeared confident that their actions complied with the applicable rules.
Giovanni Minardi had played an important role in Antonelli’s early career and in helping guide his path towards Mercedes. That background has previously been discussed in relation to the decisions that shaped Kimi Antonelli’s route into a Formula 1 academy.
Bologna court orders contracts and financial documents to be filed
The Bologna court has now ordered Antonelli and Mercedes to submit copies of the relevant contracts and accounting documentation.
According to a reconstruction by Corriere dello Sport, Minardi is seeking “a percentage between 10% and 20% of earnings already received and still to be received”.
The figure remains part of Minardi’s claim rather than an established liability, and the requested documentation is expected to provide greater clarity over the financial value involved.
Minardi lawyer claims Antonelli breach is already evident
Mattia Grassani, who represents Giovanni Minardi, spoke to ANSA about his client’s position and confirmed that the next hearing has been scheduled for November 19.
The lawyer said he is waiting for the contractual documentation in order to establish “an order of magnitude of the rights accrued by the manager”, while also stating that Minardi is available for a “serious settlement” based on that information.
Grassani nevertheless maintained that, in his view, “the driver’s non-compliant conduct is already evident from the documents produced”.
He also reiterated Minardi’s position that the management and representation agreement had been “unlawfully terminated”.
Minardi side remains open to settlement
Despite the firm legal position being taken, Grassani said the possibility of reaching an agreement with the opposing parties remains open.
“The willingness to engage with the other parties has always existed and will continue to exist,” Mattia Grassani said. “But Minardi was the true alter ego of the young driver: recognition of his role in discovering and developing the driver is fundamental.”
The original agreement between Minardi Management and Antonelli had been due to run until 2028 before the driver terminated it.
The dispute will therefore continue towards the November 19 hearing unless the parties reach an agreement beforehand, with the contractual and financial documents expected to play a central role in determining the scope of Giovanni Minardi’s claims.
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