Kimi Antonelli built his racing career through karting titles, junior championships and a rapid move into Formula One. Born in Bologna, Italy, he joined the Mercedes junior programme at 12 and became a works F1 driver in 2025. Taking the seat left by Lewis Hamilton brought immediate pressure. His progress since then has made him a major figure in Italian motorsport, with Grand Prix victories and a world championship challenge shaping his second season.
Kimi Antonelli Quick Bio
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Andrea Kimi Antonelli |
| Date of birth | 25 August 2006 |
| Age | 20 as of 1 November 2026 |
| Birthplace | Bologna, Emilia-Romagna, Italy |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Profession | Formula One racing driver |
| Team | Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS |
| Racing number | 12 |
| Father | Marco Antonelli |
| Mother | Veronica Pomaro |
| Sister | Maggie Antonelli |
| Education | Salvemini technical institute, Casalecchio di Reno |
| School graduation | June 2025 |
| Height | 1.72 metres, according to sports databases |
| Weight | 70 kilograms, according to Sofascore |
| Marital status | No confirmed marriage |
| Children | No confirmed children |
| Former girlfriend | Eliška Babíčková |
| Religion | Has expressed belief in God; denomination unconfirmed |
| Net worth | No verified figure |
| Salary | Contract terms remain private |
| Main income | Racing earnings and commercial activities |
| F1 debut | 2025 Australian Grand Prix |
Kimi Antonelli’s Early Life and Family
Growing Up in Bologna
Andrea Kimi Antonelli was born on 25 August 2006. Motorsport formed part of his childhood because his father raced sportscars and ran a racing team.
Time at circuits introduced him to engines, race preparation and competition long before he became a professional driver. At home, watching Formula One helped turn that early interest into a clear ambition.
He first sat in a kart as a small child. His father helped because he could not reach the pedals. He later drove a small kart alone at Forlì, before entering competitive karting at seven.
His Parents and Sister
His father, Marco Antonelli, provided racing knowledge and practical support. His mother, Veronica Pomaro, helped keep school and family life central to his upbringing.
Antonelli also has a younger sister, Maggie. He has spoken warmly about spending time with family and friends, even as his work takes him across the world.
His middle name often causes confusion. He was not named after Finnish world champion Kimi Räikkönen. The name came through a family connection and became the name he uses professionally.
Kimi Antonelli’s Age, Nationality and Personal Background
Antonelli turned 20 on 25 August 2026. He is Italian and comes from the Emilia-Romagna region, an area with strong links to motor racing.
His nationality is clear, but he has not established a more specific ethnic identity in the sources available. Assigning one from his name or birthplace would add an unsupported detail.
He speaks Italian and fluent English. His English carries an Italian accent, and he uses it during interviews and daily work with his team.
On religion, he has said in an Italian interview that he believes in God and sometimes attends church. That supports describing him as a believer, without assigning a denomination he has not confirmed.
Kimi Antonelli’s Education
School Alongside Formula One
Antonelli attended the Salvemini technical institute in Casalecchio di Reno, near Bologna, where his studies included finance and marketing.
Completing school became harder as his racing duties grew. During his first F1 season, teachers sent lesson material, while classmates helped him keep up with schoolwork.
He admitted that balancing the two was difficult. English and physical education were subjects he enjoyed, while mathematics proved more demanding.
Graduation in June 2025
He passed his final school examinations in June 2025, shortly after earning his first Formula One podium.
His mother strongly supported finishing his education. Graduation gave him an achievement outside racing during a year already filled with major changes.
There is no verified university qualification to add to his educational record.
How Kimi Antonelli Started His Racing Career
Karting Success
Karting gave Antonelli his first chance to prove his speed against other young drivers. Early wins led to stronger competition across Europe.
Mercedes brought him into its junior programme in April 2019, when he was 12. The move provided long-term backing as he developed.
He won the FIA European karting championship in 2020 and retained the title in 2021. Those results strengthened his standing before the move to cars.
Formula Four Breakthrough
Antonelli began single-seater racing in 2021. In 2022, he won both the Italian Formula Four and ADAC Formula Four championships.
Across those two campaigns, he secured 22 victories. His results showed more than one-lap speed: he could manage races and deliver across a season.
Formula Regional Championships
In 2023, he won the Formula Regional Middle East championship and the Formula Regional European championship.
Four major titles in two years gave Mercedes strong grounds to support a faster route towards Formula One.
Kimi Antonelli’s Formula Two Career
Antonelli joined PREMA in Formula Two for 2024, moving straight from Formula Regional and bypassing FIA Formula Three.
The step brought faster cars, longer races and tougher demands on tyre management. His early results were steady, but victories took time.
His breakthrough came in the wet Silverstone Sprint. He followed it with a Feature Race win at the Hungaroring.
He finished sixth in the championship after one season. Mercedes then chose him for its vacant F1 seat, placing confidence in his potential despite his limited experience.
Kimi Antonelli’s Formula One Career
Mercedes Preparation and the Monza Crash
Before his debut season, Antonelli completed a Mercedes testing programme using older F1 cars.
His first practice outing at Monza in August 2024 ended in a heavy crash. It was a difficult introduction, especially in front of Italian supporters.
Mercedes maintained its backing. The team confirmed that he would partner George Russell in 2025, replacing Ferrari-bound Hamilton.
His First Season in 2025
Antonelli made his Grand Prix debut in Australia and finished fourth. The result showed that he could compete at the highest level from the start.
He took Sprint pole in Miami and earned his first Grand Prix podium with third place in Canada.
His season also included mistakes and a difficult European stretch. Learning to handle setbacks became part of the job.
Late podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas helped him finish seventh in the championship. His rookie year produced three Grand Prix podiums and valuable experience.
Working with George Russell and Bono
Russell gave him an experienced team-mate against whom to measure his progress.
Race engineer Peter Bonnington, known as Bono, brought years of experience from working with Hamilton. Antonelli has credited his calm communication and guidance during races.
Breakthrough Victories in 2026
Antonelli secured his first Grand Prix pole and victory in China in March 2026.
He became the youngest Grand Prix polesitter and the second-youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history, behind Max Verstappen.
The victory also made him Italy’s first Grand Prix winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.
Further wins turned his second season into a title challenge. At Monza, he recovered from 19th on the grid to claim an emotional home victory.
Kimi Antonelli’s Hungarian Grand Prix Penalty
His 2026 Hungarian Grand Prix weekend included a three-place grid penalty for failing to slow enough under yellow flags in qualifying.
He also received one penalty point. A separate investigation into slow driving resulted in a warning.
Despite starting seventh, he recovered to finish third. The result added important championship points during a weekend when Mercedes lacked its usual advantage.
Kimi Antonelli’s Net Worth, Salary and Income
What Is His Net Worth?
Antonelli’s exact net worth cannot be verified from an audited financial statement.
Online figures vary because they may combine estimated pay, sponsorship income and future commercial value. None of those measures alone establishes personal wealth.
A sound biography must therefore leave his net worth unconfirmed.
Salary and Career Earnings
His full Mercedes contract remains private. Some media estimates put his 2026 base salary at US$2 million, but bonuses can change total earnings substantially.
Forbes estimated his 2025 racing earnings at US$12.5 million. That figure concerns annual earnings, rather than net worth.
Main Sources of Income
His main income comes from professional racing. Performance bonuses and commercial work can add to his base pay.
Promotional duties include appearances connected with Mercedes partners. The value of each activity is not disclosed.
Kimi Antonelli’s Business Ventures and Companies
Antonelli’s career centres on racing rather than a confirmed portfolio of outside businesses.
His father’s motorsport operation belongs to his family background. It should not automatically be described as Kimi’s personal company.
Mercedes is his employer, while PREMA was his junior racing team. Brand partnerships also do not establish ownership stakes.
Without clear company records, claims about private investments or business holdings remain unverified.
Kimi Antonelli’s Girlfriend, Marriage and Children
Antonelli previously dated Czech former karting driver and influencer Eliška Babíčková. Their relationship ended in early 2026, with Babíčková confirming the separation.
Later holiday photographs prompted speculation, but photographs alone cannot confirm a new partner.
He has no confirmed spouse or children. His private life should be described with the same care as his sporting record.
Kimi Antonelli’s Height, Weight and Interests
Sports databases give his height as 1.72 metres and his weight as 70 kilograms. These figures are not current measurements supplied by Mercedes.
Away from racing, he enjoys time with friends, family and former F2 team-mate Oliver Bearman.
He has also discussed an interest in architecture and watches. These interests offer a glimpse of life beyond training, travel and competition.
Kimi Antonelli’s Latest News and Developing Legacy
As of the pre-race updates checked on 1 November 2026, Antonelli had nine Grand Prix victories and led the championship.
He was due to start fourth in Mexico, where ninth place or better would secure the title. The race outcome had not been confirmed in those updates.
His legacy is still taking shape. Junior titles, early F1 records and race victories already give him a firm place in Italian racing history. Sustained success will decide how far that place grows.
FAQs
Who is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is an Italian Formula One racing driver for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. His full name is Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and he made his F1 debut in 2025.
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
He is 20 years old as of November 2026. He was born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna, Italy.
Who are Kimi Antonelli’s parents?
His parents are Marco Antonelli, a racing driver and motorsport team owner, and Veronica Pomaro.
Is Kimi Antonelli married?
There is no confirmed marriage. He previously dated Czech former karting driver Eliška Babíčková, but their relationship ended in early 2026.
Does Kimi Antonelli have any siblings?
Yes, he has a younger sister named Maggie Antonelli.
