Andrea Kimi Antonelli has found himself at the centre of a debate over his residence after Prince Albert II of Monaco suggested that the Mercedes driver is considering a move to the Principality. San Marino, where the Formula 1 championship leader has lived for several years, has responded by saying it is unaware of any decision to leave.
Kimi Antonelli’s ties to San Marino
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been a resident of San Marino for several years and obtained his driving licence there at the beginning of 2025. His father Marco Antonelli has also had a strong connection with the microstate since 2020, when he established the headquarters of AKM Motorsport by Antonelli there, operating in karting and closed-wheel racing.
That relationship with the city-state also led San Marino to appoint the Mercedes driver as an ambassador for sport around the world on behalf of the Republic.
Prince Albert says Antonelli is considering Monaco
However, Prince Albert II of Monaco suggested that the situation could change during an interview with Corriere della Sera. While discussing Jannik Sinner’s residence in the Principality, Prince Albert said: “Kimi Antonelli is also thinking about moving to Monaco.”
He then explained why Monte Carlo continues to attract prominent sports figures.
“What attracts them here? Of course there is the economic aspect, but when I speak to them I understand that much of the appeal of our country has to do with quality of life, the climate and, above all, security.”
In short, Monaco offers a combination of tax advantages, privacy and security.
San Marino says there is no decision to leave
Prince Albert’s revelation was met with surprise by Rossano Fabbri, San Marino’s Secretary of State for Sport, who said he was not aware of any decision by Andrea Kimi Antonelli to leave the country.
“At the moment, I am not aware of any decision by Antonelli to leave us. After all, he has always said publicly that he feels very comfortable in our country.”
Rossano Fabbri also stressed that Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s relationship with San Marino should not be reduced simply to financial considerations.
“Economic and tax aspects naturally have their importance, but they do not explain these choices on their own and, in Kimi’s case, they are certainly not the reason his relationship with San Marino began.”
For now, therefore, there is no confirmed change to Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s residence. Prince Albert II has indicated that Monaco is being considered, while San Marino maintains that it has received no indication that the Mercedes driver intends to leave.
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