Mercedes’ newest driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, has successfully passed his driving test just six weeks before making his Formula 1 debut at the Australian Grand Prix.
At 18 years old, Antonelli is set to replace the legendary seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this season, alongside teammate George Russell.
Antonelli turned 18 in August 2024, which is the legal driving age in Italy.
He celebrated the milestone with a post from Mercedes on social media, proudly showcasing his driving licence and the crucial F1 super-licence, both necessary for his participation in the sport.
The team shared a photo of Antonelli giving a thumbs-up while in a driving school car, captioning it with “Mission completed.”
Although he has just received his licence, Antonelli has already logged several thousand miles testing an F1 car, gearing up for his debut season.
He will continue his preparation by sharing three days of pre-season testing with George Russell at the official Bahrain test from February 26 to 28.
With his driving test successfully passed and extensive F1 testing under his belt, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is set to embark on his highly anticipated Formula 1 career.
Fans are eager to see how the young driver will perform alongside one of the sport’s best, George Russell, as Mercedes looks to make an impact in the new season.
