Kimi Antonelli is just days away from beginning his F1 journey, and in an interview, he revealed what he has been focusing on ahead of his debut in the category.
The Bologna-born driver has been part of the Mercedes Junior Team for six years. This winter, he has been preparing for his F1 debut alongside team personnel, sharing what he has been working on and what he wants to avoid as a rookie.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will be one of six drivers making their full-time F1 debut this year and the youngest among them. Despite his age, there are high expectations for the 2006-born driver, who may immediately find himself in a competitive car—unlike Gabriel Bortoleto and Oliver Bearman, who could face more performance-related challenges.
How Does a Rookie Prepare for His Debut?
Six months ago, Kimi Antonelli was announced as Mercedes’ new driver for 2025. Replacing a seven-time world champion like Lewis Hamilton will be no easy task, but the driver of car number 12 is doing everything possible to start the 2025 season in the best way.
He described his winter preparation as both interesting and intense, detailing the activities he has been involved in. “I’ve spent a lot of time at the factory, also doing a lot of team-building. So far, it’s been really interesting, and it’s gone well.”
During the winter break, Kimi Antonelli shared glimpses of his training on social media. At one point, he was in Lanzarote, where he traveled with the team for several days of physical preparation.
Kimi Antonelli’s focus in this pre-season phase is on absorbing as much knowledge as possible. “I’ve really tried to concentrate, making progress day by day, and learning as much as I can, because what I want to avoid is arriving in Melbourne and facing unpleasant surprises.” – the Italian concluded.
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