Latest news with #AndreaKimiAntonelli
The Star
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Motor racing-Antonelli brings school to the track for home F1 debut
Formula One F1 - Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy - May 15, 2025 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix REUTERS/Florion Goga IMOLA, Italy (Reuters) - Kimi Antonelli has not been able to attend school since he became a Mercedes Formula One driver so the 18-year-old brought his classmates to the racetrack ahead of his home debut this weekend. The Bologna-born driver is enjoying staying at home for the race at Imola, a drive east along the Roman Via Emilia, but bracing for plenty of attention as Italy's sole driver in Ferrari's backyard. "We were able to organise this for the school," he said after his entire class turned up in the paddock on Thursday. "I think it's a good way for them to see with their own eyes this world. "We've organised some activities... I'll show them the car and explain a bit, without going too much into detail. It's a good way to keep the relationship because I don't spend much time at home, so I don't see them often." Antonelli still intends to take his Maturita, the Italian high school diploma exam, and has been working on it. "I'm trying to study as much as I can, especially in those little moments I have free. I'm getting help from the school as well to try and catch up because I've definitely missed a lot of work during this time," said the rookie. "But it's not easy, because that also takes energy and effort. Especially ahead of such an important weekend, it's really important to manage that side, not to do too much in order to save energy. "But whenever I'm home or have a bit of time off, I try to do a little bit just to keep active and catch up as much as possible." Antonelli, who took the place of seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton when the Briton moved to Ferrari in January, is the top rookie this season after scoring in five of his six races so far. The Italian, who only passed his driving test in January, is already the youngest F1 racer to take a pole position of any sort -- in the Miami sprint this month -- and set fastest lap and lead a race. Imola will ratchet the attention up another level, the race also coming after rowdy scenes as local soccer side Bologna won the Italian cup on Wednesday to secure their first major trophy in 51 years. "This weekend is going to be emotionally and mentally draining -- a home race in front of the Italian fans and my family and friends will be attending," said Antonelli, who dreams of a first podium. "Already a normal weekend is very tiring and draining, so this is like double. Of course I'm going to try to protect myself. The fact that I've got really good people around me really helps. "At the same time, it's going to be really exciting. I think the energy is going to be amazing and that can be used to do even better on track. I'm really looking forward to see how we go this weekend." (Reporting by Alan Baldwin, editing by Toby Davis)
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Kimi Antonelli celebrates a dream F1 homecoming with school friends and a soccer triumph
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives in the paddock at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives in the paddock at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives at the Dino and Enzo Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy arrives in the paddock at the Enzo and Dino Ferrari racetrack, ahead the Italy's Emilia Romagna Formula One Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, Thursday, May 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Antonio Calanni) IMOLA, Italy (AP) — Kimi Antonelli has made it in Formula 1 and now he wants to share the experience with his school friends. The 18-year-old driver for Mercedes is back on home soil this week at the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix and he's invited his family and classmates to share the experience at the track. Advertisement He even got to join the celebrations in his hometown Wednesday night as its soccer club won its first trophy in 51 years, before heading to the track for media duties and to give his friends a behind-the-scenes view of F1. 'We were able to organize this for the school. It's a good way for them to see with their own eyes this world. They used to see the races on TV but they didn't actually know what's going on behind all this," Antonelli said Thursday. 'Later on, I'll show them the car and explain a little bit ... It's a good way to keep the relationship as well because I haven't spent much time at home, so I don't see them a lot. These little things can make the difference as well, in terms of relationships.' This week's race couldn't have been better timed for Antonelli, who was able to celebrate Bologna winning the Italian Cup, its first trophy since 1974. Advertisement 'The city went pretty crazy. I was out there as well, but not for long though because I still had to come to the track this morning," he said. 'But like everyone was sounding the klaxons on the street ... going crazy. It was good fun. I enjoyed it.' The last year has brought huge changes for Antonelli, who was a Formula 2 rookie when he was picked to take over Lewis Hamilton's seat at Mercedes — a choice that spawned its own recently-released Netflix documentary. Antonelli said Thursday his dream would be a first career podium finish at his home race but he's wary of what might go wrong. Two weeks ago in Miami, he was the youngest driver to secure pole position and started from the front in the sprint race, but dropped to fourth almost immediately after a mistake. 'I was really excited and actually thinking about the podium, and then the races went terribly wrong, both in the sprint and the long race. We're a very superstitious family and we just take (it) step by step,' he said. Advertisement Racing in front of his home fans — who haven't had an Italian driver in F1 since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021 — will make this weekend 'a special one,' Antonelli said. But having friends, family and fans all cheering him on will also be a test of how well he can block out the pressure. 'This weekend is going to be emotionally and mentally draining,' he warned. 'It's going to be really important to manage the energy." ___ AP auto racing:
CNN
03-05-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
Teenage prodigy Andrea Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest ever driver to claim an F1 pole
Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest ever driver to claim an F1 pole position in any race format on Friday when he scorched around the track to ensure he will start at the front of the grid in the sprint event at the Miami Grand Prix. The 18-year-old produced a brilliant performance in sprint qualifying to pip both McLaren drivers to the top spot, finishing just 0.045 seconds ahead of championship leader Oscar Piastri while Lando Norris took third. Antonelli's Mercedes teammate George Russell qualified in fifth place, behind the McLaren duo and Red Bull's Max Verstappen in fourth. The Italian is increasingly making a habit of becoming the youngest F1 driver to reach various milestones – in April he became the youngest driver to ever record the fastest lap in a grand prix and to lead the race too. Such landmarks underline his immense potential in the sport. 'I'm feeling over the moon. I did not expect it, but I was feeling good in the car,' he told broadcaster Sky Sports afterwards. 'I did not see that coming, to be honest. I felt the lap was good, I was happy with it, how it all came together. There were still a few bits where I could have done a bit better but still super happy with how I put all the sectors together. 'Now I will enjoy this moment a little bit more, but at the same time I'm going to try to focus on tomorrow because it would be good to repeat ourselves.' After Antonelli finished, he went straight to the Mercedes garage to find his dad, Marco, and the two shared an embrace. 'He's like a rock for me because I can always rely on him and it's really nice to share this moment with him,' he said afterwards. He will have a golden opportunity to win his first ever F1 race on Saturday in the sprint event, before the Miami Grand Prix on Sunday.
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Antonelli becomes F1's youngest polesitter in any format
Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 1, 2025 Mercedes' George Russell and Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Miami Grand Prix REUTERS/Marco Bello Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 2, 2025 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli during sprint qualifying REUTERS/Ricardo Arduengo Antonelli becomes F1's youngest polesitter in any format MIAMI - Mercedes' Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli became Formula One's youngest polesitter in any format after lapping fastest in Miami Grand Prix sprint qualifying on Friday. The 18-year-old, preparing for only his sixth grand prix weekend, lapped with a best time of one minute 26.482 seconds to pip McLaren's championship leader Oscar Piastri by 0.045 seconds. McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest with Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen completing the second row on the day he announced he had become a father for the first time. "The last lap was mighty. I put everything together. I'm really happy to get the first pole," said a surprised Antonelli, who replaced seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in January. Hamilton, winner of the first sprint race of the season in China from pole position for Ferrari, qualified seventh with teammate Charles Leclerc sixth. Mercedes' George Russell will line up ahead of them in fifth. Only the top eight places in Saturday's 100km race score points. Williams had Alex Albon qualify eighth with French rookie Isack Hadjar ninth for Racing Bulls and Fernando Alonso completing the top 10 for Aston Martin. Piastri leads closest rival Norris by 10 points and will be chasing his third grand prix win in a row in Sunday's main event, with qualifying for that race taking place after the Saturday sprint. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
02-05-2025
- Automotive
- Straits Times
Italian rookie Antonelli takes record sprint pole for Mercedes
Formula One F1 - Miami Grand Prix - Miami International Autodrome, Miami, Florida, United States - May 1, 2025 Mercedes' George Russell and Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli ahead of the Miami Grand Prix REUTERS/Marco Bello MIAMI - Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli put Mercedes on pole position for the Miami Grand Prix sprint race on Friday with McLaren's Formula One leader Oscar Piastri joining the teenager on the front row for Saturday's race. The pole, albeit only a sprint one as far as the records are concerned, was a first for the 18-year-old in only the sixth race of his F1 career. It also made him the youngest pole sitter in any format in Formula One history. McLaren's Lando Norris was third fastest with Red Bull's four-times world champion Max Verstappen completing the second row on the day he announced he had become a father for the first time. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
