Andrea Kimi Antonelli has fulfilled a promise made at the beginning of the 2026 Formula 1 season, arriving at Mercedes’ Brackley headquarters with his hair dyed in the colours of the Italian flag following his world championship triumph. The 20-year-old surprised Mercedes employees with his new look, while team principal Toto Wolff was initially left speechless before delivering a humorous reaction.
The newly crowned world champion had previously revealed that he would dye his hair if he managed to win the Formula 1 drivers’ championship. Although the transformation did not happen immediately after his title-winning Mexican Grand Prix or during the following race weekend in Brazil, Andrea Kimi Antonelli finally honoured the bet upon returning to the Mercedes factory.
Kimi Antonelli fulfils unusual promise after winning F1 world championship
Following the Mexican Grand Prix, where Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 world title, the young Mercedes driver explained that he had made an unusual bet before the season began.
“I’d made a bet at the start of the season that if I won the world championship, I’d dye my hair, perhaps in the colours of the Italian flag or in Bologna’s blue and red.”
The Italian initially kept his familiar hairstyle throughout the Brazilian Grand Prix weekend, despite having already secured the championship. However, his return to Brackley provided the perfect opportunity to fulfil the promise and celebrate his achievement in an unconventional way.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli ultimately chose the green, white and red of the Italian tricolour, proudly displaying his national colours after becoming Formula 1 world champion.
The hairstyle added a light-hearted moment to the celebrations surrounding Mercedes’ successful season, following a campaign in which Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the drivers’ championship and established himself among the sport’s leading figures.
Toto Wolff left speechless by Kimi Antonelli’s tricolour hair at Mercedes
Mercedes shared footage of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival at the Brackley factory on its official social media account, capturing the reactions of employees as the young Italian revealed his striking new hairstyle.
The unexpected transformation prompted laughter among team members, while Toto Wolff initially struggled to find the words to respond. After a few moments of silence, the Mercedes team principal jokingly asked his driver: “Did you pay for that?”
The exchange provided a humorous conclusion to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s championship bet, demonstrating that the Italian was determined to keep his word even after achieving the biggest success of his Formula 1 career.
Having promised to celebrate a potential world championship with an unusual hairstyle, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has now followed through, bringing a touch of Italian colour to Mercedes’ headquarters and giving Toto Wolff and the entire team another memorable moment from their title-winning season.
Watch: Kimi Antonelli reveals his new hairstyle at Mercedes
Mercedes published the moment on its official Instagram account, showing Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s tricolour hairstyle and Toto Wolff’s reaction.
Watch the Mercedes video of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s surprise at Brackley on Instagram.
More news about Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes
- How Kimi Antonelli extended his championship advantage with a crucial Singapore podium
- Why George Russell has struggled against Kimi Antonelli during the 2026 F1 season
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