F1 Rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli Endures ‘Hellish’ Week Ahead Of Debut Season

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian rookie set to make his Formula 1 debut with Mercedes this season, has revealed the intense pressure he faced in the lead-up to his driving test in January. Despite the challenges of replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who departed for Ferrari, Antonelli’s primary concern was passing his road test just six weeks before the Australian Grand Prix.

Speaking with BBC Sport, Antonelli shared the nerve-wracking experience of preparing for his driving test. “I was really nervous, first of all,” he admitted. “That week was like hell because I was really studying and practising because I knew I only had that shot. The preparations start and then the season starts and I had no time to do the driving test again. So I was super happy to have passed straight away.”

While there were no significant scares during the test, Antonelli did confess to making “one little mistake” on the theory portion. However, he quickly added, “But I had three allowed, so it was fine.”

Antonelli is set to partner George Russell at Mercedes this season, filling the void left by Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari. The Italian prodigy’s journey to Formula 1 has been closely watched by fans and pundits alike, with his driving test adding an extra layer of intrigue to his debut season.

To compete in Formula 1, drivers are not required to hold a regular road licence. However, they must be at least 18 years old and have obtained a super licence, the qualification issued by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

Antonelli is not the only rookie to have faced challenges with his driving test. Oliver Bearman, the 19-year-old Briton who will be driving for Haas in his first full F1 season, admitted to making a crucial error on his first attempt. “I passed second time and I shouldn’t have said that,” Bearman joked. “I didn’t stop at a ‘stop’ sign. I didn’t burn through, I slowed down and I was crawling but you are supposed to stop. We don’t have ‘stop’ signs at a race track so that was my first sighting of a ‘stop’ sign.”

As the 2025 Formula 1 season approaches, all eyes will be on the talented crop of rookies, including Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman, as they navigate the pressures of the world’s most competitive motorsport series. While their driving tests may have provided a brief moment of anxiety, it is their performance on the track that will ultimately define their rookie campaigns.