Kimi Antonelli has revealed that his father, Marco Antonelli, initially did not want him to pursue a career in motorsport because of the financial difficulties that had forced him to abandon his own racing ambitions. As the 20-year-old Mercedes driver approaches a potentially historic first Formula 1 World Championship, he has reflected on his family’s influence and the crucial support provided by Mercedes and team principal Toto Wolff throughout his development.
The defining moment is approaching. Kimi Antonelli could secure the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday, 25 October, or potentially at the following race in Mexico on 1 November. The Italian has established himself as the leading contender for the title at just 20 years old, driving for a Mercedes team that has returned to the front of the championship with a driver it developed through its own junior programme.
Toto Wolff recognised Kimi Antonelli’s potential at an early age and supported his development, establishing a relationship of considerable trust with the driver’s father. Marco Antonelli remains an important presence in his son’s Formula 1 career, regularly attending races and providing guidance during a season that could culminate in an extraordinary achievement.
Kimi Antonelli reveals why his father did not want him to race
Marco Antonelli was himself a racing driver, but financial difficulties eventually forced him to end his competitive career. Having experienced the challenges of trying to progress in motorsport without sufficient financial backing, he initially feared that his son might face the same disappointment.
The relationship between Kimi Antonelli and his father is exceptionally close. Formula 1 fans regularly see Marco Antonelli attending race weekends, while the Mercedes driver frequently speaks about the importance of his family. Speaking in Austin ahead of the United States Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli described his father as his “rock”, while also emphasising the vital support provided by his mother.
Marco Antonelli played a fundamental role in introducing his son to racing and teaching him everything he could about motorsport. However, before Kimi Antonelli had even begun driving competitively, his father was reluctant to encourage him towards a career that could end prematurely because of financial limitations.
“He didn’t want me to race because this sport can be very cruel sometimes, especially financially, particularly when you don’t have the right support. He experienced that reality himself and, without any financial backing, he couldn’t continue his racing career,” Kimi Antonelli explained.
His father’s concerns were therefore not primarily about the dangers of racing, but about the possibility that talent and dedication might not be enough to build a successful career. Marco Antonelli knew from personal experience that motorsport could close doors to promising drivers who lacked the resources necessary to continue competing.
He wanted to protect his son from experiencing the same disappointment. However, Kimi Antonelli’s enthusiasm for racing was already unmistakable, and that passion eventually helped convince his family to support his ambitions.
Mercedes and Toto Wolff provided the support Kimi Antonelli needed
While Marco Antonelli initially worried about the financial demands of motorsport, Mercedes recognised his son’s potential and provided the backing that would prove decisive in his development.
Kimi Antonelli’s passion for racing had been evident from an early age, and Mercedes identified the Italian as a particularly promising young talent. The manufacturer’s support helped provide a pathway through karting and the junior single-seater categories, allowing him to progress towards Formula 1 without facing the same financial obstacles that had affected his father.
“Without Mercedes, I wouldn’t be here today. They supported me from my karting days and gave me the opportunities. I will always be very grateful to Mercedes,” Kimi Antonelli said.
The relationship between the Italian driver and Mercedes represents one of the clearest examples of how a Formula 1 team’s junior development programme can help a talented youngster progress towards the highest level of motorsport.
For Toto Wolff and Mercedes, the decision to invest in Kimi Antonelli required a long-term commitment, particularly because the driver was still extremely young when the manufacturer began following his progress. That investment has now helped deliver a driver capable of fighting for the World Championship.
Kimi Antonelli completed more than 9,000 kilometres with Mercedes before F1 debut
Mercedes had been monitoring Kimi Antonelli well before officially signing him to its junior programme. The Italian joined the Mercedes Junior Team in 2019 at the age of 12, marking the beginning of a development relationship that would eventually lead to his promotion to Formula 1.
Before his Grand Prix debut, Mercedes provided extensive preparation, including financial assistance, testing opportunities and track time in Formula 1 machinery. Toto Wolff recognised the importance of giving the young driver sufficient experience before he stepped into the race seat previously occupied by Lewis Hamilton.
According to the Mercedes team principal, Kimi Antonelli completed more than 9,000 kilometres of running before taking over from Lewis Hamilton. That distance is roughly equivalent to 30 Grand Prix race distances and included free practice appearances during 2024, along with an extensive programme of private tests.
The mileage allowed Kimi Antonelli to gain familiarity with Formula 1 cars, develop his technical understanding and build experience before competing as a full-time driver. It also demonstrated the scale of Mercedes’ commitment to preparing one of the most promising talents in its junior programme.
Mercedes also provided substantial financial backing throughout the Italian’s development, although the team has never publicly confirmed an official figure for the total investment.
Mercedes’ long-term investment brings Kimi Antonelli towards F1 history
Mercedes identified Kimi Antonelli’s exceptional potential while he was still a child and committed significant resources to supporting his progression through motorsport. The manufacturer believed that his talent justified the investment, even though there could be no guarantee that he would eventually reach Formula 1, let alone compete for the World Championship.
That faith now appears close to producing an extraordinary result. Kimi Antonelli has become a leading figure in Mercedes’ return to championship contention, establishing himself as a potential World Champion at only 20 years old.
The driver’s journey has also highlighted the importance of the relationship between his family and Mercedes. Marco Antonelli’s initial reservations reflected the difficulties he had experienced during his own career, while the support of Toto Wolff and the Mercedes organisation helped create opportunities that might otherwise have been impossible.
As the 2026 championship approaches its decisive stage, Kimi Antonelli’s rise stands as the culmination of years of preparation, family support and long-term investment. For Mercedes, the prospect of securing the title with a driver developed through its own junior programme would represent a major reward for that commitment, and potentially only the beginning of a successful partnership.
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