ANDREA
ANTONELLI
car 12
Mercedes prodigy. Antonelli was fast tracked from F2 into Hamilton's seat and turned in the rookie season of the year in 2025.
The teenager who replaced a legend.
Imagine being 18 and told you are taking Lewis Hamilton's seat. Kimi Antonelli said yes.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is from near Bologna, Italy. Mercedes spotted him young and fast-tracked him through the junior ranks. When Hamilton left for Ferrari, Toto Wolff handed the teenager the seat for 2025. It was a huge bet on raw talent. He started with a crash in practice at Monza, which made some doubt the move.
Then he delivered. He took a podium in only his ninth race, in Canada. He grabbed a sprint pole in Miami as the youngest pole-sitter of any kind in F1 history. He finished 2025 with back-to-back podiums and 150 points, the most ever by a rookie under the current scoring system. The kid is the real deal. He even races under the single name Kimi, a nod to his idol Kimi Raikkonen.
Antonelli is the future arriving early. Italian, fearless, and already on podiums at 19. Watching him grow up in a Mercedes is one of the best reasons to tune in.
A second-year driver is still finding consistency, so expect highs and lows. He can surprise in podium-finish props at the right track, but he can also have rough weekends. The out-qualify-Russell market is where his ceiling shows, but stake with care.
The file.
- Born
- 25/08/2006Bologna, IT
- Nationality
- Italy
- Career starts
- 24
- Fastest laps
- 0
In their own words.
Quick questions.
How old is Andrea Kimi Antonelli?
20 years old. Born 25/08/2006 in Bologna, IT.
How many F1 wins does Antonelli have?
0 race wins across 24 career starts, with 2 podium finishes and 0 pole positions.
What team does Antonelli drive for?
Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. Car number 12. Open team profile.
Where can I bet on Antonelli podium finishes?
We compare Antonelli podium markets across our SA partner books on every race preview page. Open Punters Edge hub.