F1 Rookie Finally Passes His Driving Test

Formula 1’s rising star Andrea Kimi Antonelli has reached another milestone in his already impressive young career, as the 18-year-old officially passed his driving test. Set to race for Mercedes in the 2025 F1 season, the Italian prodigy shared the news on Instagram, posting a photo from a driving instructor’s car with the caption: “Mission complete.”

Despite now holding a standard driver’s license, Antonelli didn’t need it to secure his coveted seat at Mercedes, where he will replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. He already possessed an FIA Super Licence, the mandatory qualification required to compete in Formula 1.

Mercedes officially confirmed Antonelli as their new driver during the 2024 Italian Grand Prix at Monza, marking a significant moment for both the team and Italian motorsport. However, his first taste of F1 machinery during a practice session didn’t go as planned. Filling in for George Russell, the young driver crashed into the trackside barriers after completing just four laps—a reminder of the steep learning curve ahead.

Antonelli will partner George Russell, who finished sixth in the 2024 championship, as Mercedes looks to rebuild following a challenging season. The Silver Arrows are aiming to reclaim their dominance after Red Bull’s Max Verstappen secured his fourth consecutive title in 2024.

With Hamilton’s departure shaking up the grid, Antonelli’s rise to F1 brings fresh excitement, particularly for Italian fans, who have long awaited a homegrown star capable of challenging at the front.

Italy has a rich motorsport heritage, but success at the highest level has been elusive in recent decades. Giancarlo Fisichella was the last Italian to win a Grand Prix, back in 2006, while Alberto Ascari remains the country’s most recent world champion, having clinched the title in 1953.