Antonelli completes maiden F1 test with Mercedes

Adding fuel to the 2025 Mercedes lineup fire, F2 driver and Mercedes Junior driver Kimi Antonelli completed a maiden two-day Formula 1 test this week, taking to the Red Bull Ring in the W12.

The test in Austria was carried out as a part of the team’s “heritage programme”, with the purpose of maintaining and running their former challengers “in readiness for use in marketing-related activities”. 

Across the two days, Antonelli racked up around 500km of mileage in the W12, Mercedes’ 2021 race car, in what was his first taste of Formula 1 machinery. 

“It’s been an incredible experience, it was really great to feel the power and downforce” Antonelli said.

“I loved every second of it. 

“It was really good fun and I want to thank all the team for all their hard work.”

Kimi Antonelli tests the W12 around the Red Bull Ring as a part of Mercedes’ “heritage programme”. Image: Mercedes AMG F1.

Prior to the 48 hours in the Styrian hills, Antonelli said there had been a lot of work going on behind the scenes to prep himself for the Formula 1 extremities. 

“We did some sim work and ran through some important things ahead of the day.

“That was really useful because once I was out on track, I knew what the team was telling me on the radio.

“I have learned a lot in these two days, things which will be really helpful when I go back to F2.

“But I need to keep working, and keep improving too.”

The 17-year-old has been heavily linked to the now-vacant Mercedes seat which would see him teaming up with George Russell in 2025.

As it stands, Antonelli’s name has been thrown around with the likes of Carlos Sainz and formerly Fernando Alonso before he extended in a “lifetime project” with Aston Martin, however, the youngster looks to be the front-runner for Mercedes.

Mercedes Junior Kimi Antonelli after his maiden F1 test in Austria. Image: Mercedes AMG F1.

The Italian’s Formula Regional European Championship (FRECA) win last season earned him the right of passage to fast track to Formula 2, bypassing the Formula 3 World Championship as he eyes down a place on the F2 grid.

Having been connected to Mercedes since 2019 as a part of their junior programme, success came early in Antonelli’s career with the young gun also winning titles in both Italian and German Formula 4 series.

Now racing with PREMA in F2, Antonelli finds himself sitting ninth in the championship after the first three rounds.

His rookie season highlights thus far include qualifying on the front row in Australia (P2) and going on to finish P4 in the race.  

The Formula 2 grid will head to Barcelona for three days of testing from April 23 to 25, before Round 4, and the first of two home races for Antonelli, takes place in Imola in a months’ time. 

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