Photo: Mercedes-AMG F1
Andrea Kimi Antonelli will make his Formula 1 practice debut with Mercedes-AMG at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix.
The Formula 2 racer, who turned 18 yesterday, will take over the car of George Russell for the opening practice session on Friday morning at Monza.
It is anticipated that Antonelli, who has been a Mercedes junior since 2018, will be announced this weekend as Russell’s team-mate for 2025 since Lewis Hamilton is leaving Mercedes at the end of the year to join Ferrari.
“Taking part in my first FP1 is going to be really special. I’m really excited to drive the W15 and share the track with so many amazing drivers. I can’t wait for it,” said Antonelli.
“Making my F1 session debut in front of my home crowd too is incredible. I’m looking forward to learning a lot but also helping contribute to the team’s weekend.”
Antonelli will also be racing in F2 at Monza, with his maiden F1 weekend running scheduled to start less than two hours after the conclusion of F2 practice and set to finish just an hour-and-a-half before F2 qualifying which will leave him tight for time in terms of preparation and analysis with Prema and Mercedes respectively.
Two of the last six F2 races have been won by Antonelli, and he currently sits seventh in the standings.
F1’s regulations stipulate that teams must run drivers with two or less grand prix starts to their name in two practice sessions over the course of each season, meaning Antonelli could be used again by Mercedes before the end of 2024.