Kimi Antonelli Goes Undercover at Milton Keynes Kart Track

Formula 1 driver Kimi Antonelli stunned local go-kart racers after secretly taking part in a busy public session under an assumed name.

The 19-year-old Mercedes driver visited Daytona Milton Keynes on Saturday, where he registered for the session as “Henry Shovlin.” Blending in with the rest of the field, Antonelli completed the standard briefing and raced alongside other drivers without drawing any attention.

Despite competing incognito, Antonelli showcased his talent by setting the fastest lap of the main race, by more than three seconds. However, he failed to secure a podium finish after receiving two penalties for pushing too hard.

Daniel Prince, from Daytona Milton Keynes, explained the situation during an interview with Roberto Perrone on BBC Three Counties Radio.

“He actually picked up two penalties, so he didn’t finish on the podium,” Prince said. “But he still set the fastest lap of the race by a huge margin.”

Prince added that no one recognized Antonelli at first because he remained helmeted throughout the session.

“He did everything like everyone else, and no one had a clue who he was,” he said.

It was only after Antonelli returned indoors and removed his helmet that his identity became clear.

“Once people realised who they’d been racing against, he was completely mobbed,” Prince said. “A member of staff quickly stepped in, got him behind the desk for a quick photo by our celebrity leaderboard, and then he made a swift exit.”

Daytona Milton Keynes is a popular destination for professional drivers due to its proximity to Silverstone, with Formula 1 racers such as Alexander Albon, Isack Hadjar, and Yuki Tsunoda also having visited the track in the past.

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Written by

James Rees

A passionate motorsport journalist from Wales, with over 30 years of love for the sport. A dedicated father of three, working as a content manager, covering the fast-paced world of Formula 1, Formula 2, Formula 3, Formula E, and IndyCar.

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