Just released on Netflix, The Seat tells the story of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s path to Mercedes.
A journey through tough moments, family, and a powerful dose of emotion: The Seat—the newly released documentary on Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s arrival at Mercedes—recounts the full story of a driver now destined to make Formula 1 history.
Since that first time in a Formula car back in March 2021 at Spielberg, Austria, Kimi made it clear: the incredible results he achieved in karting would carry over into single-seaters. The Seat captures every step of Kimi’s short but intense career: from his first laps in motorsport thanks to his father Marco, to the life-changing call from Toto Wolff officially naming him a Mercedes driver. At the heart of the story are emotions, and most of all, the simplicity of a phenomenon who is, in the end… just a regular guy.
WATCH NOW – THE SEAT, THE DOCUMENTARY ON KIMI ANTONELLI
His mother Veronica calls him “Topo”, there’s a family dinner with his grandma making lasagna, and the emotional moment when his father Marco gives him his grandfather’s keychain. Then there’s the pressure on Peter Bonnington, his race engineer, who now has to guide a rising star, and Toto’s pride as his bold bet begins to take shape—into something truly beautiful.
The series also recounts the tough moment at Monza 2024, during FP1, when Kimi suffered a nasty crash at the Parabolica. “I cried,” Kimi admits. “I was embarrassed. I just wanted to go home. I wanted to be alone, I felt like I had let down my family and the team.”
His mother Veronica adds: “I cried for a day and a half. Everyone I ran into in the paddock mentioned him, tried to reassure me, and… I just broke down.”
But alongside the sadness was the unwavering trust of an incredible team, perfectly captured by Mercedes Communications Director Bradley Lord: “I know today you were embarrassed. But all it took was a lap and a half to show us what can’t be teached. You should’ve seen how excited the whole team was. Now get some rest, and tomorrow we’ll announce you as an official Mercedes driver.”
Forty minutes that fly by in an instant, but are enough to step inside the world of a driver who is both extraordinary and authentic. No flashy shows, no trends, no staged social media content—Kimi has a pure gaze, a simple life, and a family he deeply loves. He’s a rare talent. A silent standout who, through relentless work, consistency, and a bulletproof mindset, is ready to write unforgettable chapters in the history of Formula 1. Because someone this real, this strong, doesn’t fail. Ever.
Photo: Formula 1, Oracle Red Bull Racing