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Kimi Antonelli

Antonelli passes major test ahead of F1 debut

Kimi Antonelli had to fit a nerve-racking test into his pre-season schedule as he prepares for his first full season in F1.

Antonelli Austin
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Kimi Antonelli has officially passed his driving test to obtain a road licence - five months after he was confirmed as a full-time F1 driver.

Antonelli will race for Mercedes this year alongside George Russell, taking over the seat vacated by seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton.

The Italian was announced as a 2025 Mercedes driver just days after his 18th birthday, ending months of speculation surrounding who would replace the Ferrari-bound Hamilton.

Antonelli spent last year racing in Formula 2 and ended the year sixth in the drivers' championship under the support of Mercedes.

Ahead of his debut F1 season, Antonelli had to fit in a rather unusual milestone that drivers normally achieve several years prior to their F1 debut.

However, Antonelli's rapid rise to F1 has left him sitting the exam less than two months before his grand prix debut.

Italian laws dictate that a person must be at least 18 years of age before they can sit their driving test.

Thankfully for Antonelli, he passed the exam.

Should Antonelli win any of the opening three races, he will set a new record for the youngest race winner in F1 history.

The record is currently held by four-time champion Max Verstappen, who took the top step o the podium in his first race for Red Bull at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix.

Also interesting:

Join RacingNews365's Ian Parkes, Sam Coop and Nick Golding, as they discuss Lewis Hamilton's next two big Ferrari tests and reflect on last weekend's Daytona 24 Hours. Max Verstappen was a big talking point in Daytona, with multiple drivers calling for him to enter.

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