Photo: Prema
New Formula Regional Europe champion Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s highly anticipated move up to Formula 2 with Prema for 2024 has now been confirmed.
Antonelli is a junior driver of the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team, who had already confirmed to Formula Scout that their protege would be bypassing Formula 3-level racing next year but did not want to commit to saying he will race in F2.
The move is now official though, with Prema announcing on Monday morning that Antonelli, who won Formula 4 titles with the team and then raced with success for the Italian squad in FRegional this year, will be part of its 2024 F2 line-up.
“I’m very happy for this opportunity. From FRegional to F2, it will be a huge jump. I’m aware that it will be very challenging because the level is really high there,” said Antonelli.
“It will be a new car, for me and the others as well, but it’s still going to be tough. I don’t want to set expectations, I will try to learn as much as possible in testing to be ready for the first race, have fun as always, and do a good job. I’m delighted to continue with Prema as I started my single-seater career with them and they are my second family. I love working with them.”
It is expected that Ferrari junior Ollie Bearman, a race-winner in F2 in his rookie season this year, will be Antonelli’s team-mate.
“We are proud to welcome Kimi to our FIA F2 team,” said Prema’s team principal Rene Rosin. “He has been with us since the very beginning so not only do we know him well, but we are also particularly proud of what he was able to achieve in his first two years full-time in single-seaters.
“Kimi is a gifted racer and a great team player, so we cannot wait to see what the 2024 season will bring and we are focused on helping him to make the step in the smoothest possible way.”