“It Was Very Hard for Him To Accept”: Kimi Antonelli’s Father Disapproved of His Passion for Motorsport

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed why his father, Marco Antonelli, initially opposed his dream of becoming a professional racing driver. Although his father had spent years in motorsport, his own career taught him how difficult it could be to succeed without financial support.

He feared his son would face similar disappointments, even though racing had become a major part of his life.

In a video shared by SoyMotor on X, Antonelli explained his father’s concerns and described him as his biggest source of support. “He is my pillar, the person who supports me in everything,” the Mercedes driver said.

The 20-year-old also explained that his father did not want him to experience the same setbacks he had faced. However, his father eventually changed his mind after he recognized his son’s passion for racing.

Why Marco Antonelli Initially Opposed Kimi Antonelli’s Racing Dream

According to Motorsport.com, Marco Antonelli had pursued a racing career but could not continue due to a lack of financial support. He later established his own motorsport team, allowing him to remain involved in the sport.

He understood the challenges young drivers face because he had experienced them himself. Families must pay for karting, travel, equipment and race fees. These costs increase as drivers move to higher levels, but there is no guarantee they will become professional racers.

62-year-old Antonelli was worried when his son wanted to become a racing driver. He knew how hard it was to succeed in motorsport because he had faced similar problems himself. He wanted to protect his son from the same disappointments, as talent alone does not guarantee a successful racing career.

However, Antonelli continued to show a strong interest in racing. The Italian racing driver spent time around the sport from an early age, and his enthusiasm gradually convinced his father to support his ambitions.

How Mercedes Helped Antonelli Reach Formula 1

Family support was only one part of the journey. Mercedes also played an important role in Antonelli’s development by giving him opportunities from his karting years onward.

Toto Wolff and the Mercedes junior program helped create a path toward professional racing. The team’s backing allowed Antonelli to progress through the junior categories before he reached Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2025.

Antonelli is thankful to Mercedes for giving him the chance to reach Formula 1. His journey shows that young drivers need more than talent to succeed. They also need financial support and the right opportunities to advance their careers.

His father’s concerns now carry a different meaning. The senior Antonelli understood the risks because he had experienced them himself, but he eventually chose to support his son’s ambitions.

Antonelli, in turn, values having a father who understands the pressures of racing and continues to stand beside him throughout his Formula 1 career.

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