The young Italian driver Kimi Antonelli is set to experience his first season in the Formula 1 circus—here are his thoughts.
Born in 2006, yet already destined to make headlines in just a few weeks when the Formula 1 season begins, Kimi Antonelli is finally ready to claim everything his talent deserves. Since his debut in Austria in 2021 in Formula 4, his skills and image have often drawn comparisons to the legendary Ayrton Senna, also due to a striking resemblance.

Below is the full interview from Mercedes’ official channels.
Describing oneself in a few words is never easy, but Kimi clearly recognizes the difference between his competitive self and his more relaxed version. When he’s on track, everything changes: his concentration is absolute, instincts guide every decision, and his passion for racing shines through. “When I race, I enter a completely focused mode. Whether it’s a race or just a competitive activity with friends, like paintball or bowling, I become super concentrated and almost don’t talk to anyone” , he shares.
Off the track, however, his attitude is quite different. After an intense race weekend, Kimi knows how to unwind and regain his balance. “At home, I can completely relax. Avoiding mental overload helps me feel better and regain focus for the next challenges” , he explains.
An Unusual First Experience in the Paddock
Many young drivers only see a Formula 1 paddock when they reach F3 or F2. For Kimi, however, his first encounter with that environment came in a rather creative way—at just seven years old.

“It was 2014, and my dad was racing in the Porsche Supercup at Hockenheim. I was too young to enter the paddock, so we found an… alternative solution” he recalls with a laugh. To bypass security checks, his father hid him inside a stack of tires, pushing him on a trolley covered with an umbrella to blend in.
“In the end, we made it inside, and one of my dad’s friends even found me a pass. I got to walk around the paddock for an hour, and it was incredible. Even today, we still laugh when we remember the trolley story!”
Ayrton Senna’s Inspiration
Despite growing up in an era filled with champions, the driver who left the biggest mark on him was Ayrton Senna. The legendary Brazilian has an everlasting legacy in Formula 1, and for Kimi, he was an inspiration from a young age. “I watched all the DVDs of F1 seasons from the ‘80s to the 2000s, and every time I saw Senna, I got emotional. I never had the chance to see him race live, but his videos made me realize how special he was” , he shares.
More than just Senna’s talent on track, Kimi was struck by his personality off the circuits. “He was an extraordinary driver but also an incredible person. Trying to achieve even a small part of what he did would be a dream.”

The Meaning Behind Number 12
It’s no coincidence that Kimi chose to race in Formula 1 with the number 12. It’s a tribute to Senna, who used that number during his Lotus seasons from 1985 to 1987, claiming his first F1 victory with it in Portugal in 1985.
But for Kimi, the number 12 has a more personal meaning as well. “It’s the number I started with in single-seaters, from F4 onward, and it has brought me luck. With 12, I won the Italian and German F4 titles in 2022 and the Formula Regional championships the following year” , he explains.
There’s also another interesting detail: “I was exactly 12 years old when I joined the Mercedes junior program. It’s a number that has always followed me, and I hope it brings me luck in Formula 1 as well.”

Favorite Circuits
When asked about his favorite tracks, Kimi picks circuits that hold a special place in his heart. “Imola and Mugello are among my favorites. Imola is just 30 minutes from my home, and Mugello is about 50 minutes away. Silverstone also left me speechless the first time I raced there. Driving through corners like Maggotts, Becketts, and Stowe in an F1 car is a unique experience.”
And, of course, Monaco couldn’t be left out. “At Monte Carlo, the level of focus required is incredible, especially for a qualifying lap. It’s a track that challenges you like no other,” Kimi concludes.
Photo: Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team