F1 italian rookie Antonelli passes driving test

Dominika Jordan
Jan 28, 2025, 06:00 PM ET

F1 italian rookie, Kimi Antonelli has officially passed his driving test.

In a significant milestone for the young driver, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes has officially passed his driving test.

The 18-year-old Italian rookie, who is stepping into the massive shoes of seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this season, can now legally drive on public roads.

"Mission completed," Mercedes announced on its Instagram account. The post featured a photo of Antonelli giving a thumbs up from a driving school car, with checkmarks indicating his new super licence and driving licence.

Antonelli turned 18, the minimum legal age to drive in Italy, last August. Despite his youthful age, he already has considerable experience behind the wheel of F1 machinery through extensive testing sessions.

Hamilton, the most celebrated driver in the sport with 105 grand prix wins and 104 pole positions, has transferred to Ferrari, paving the way for Antonelli to join George Russell in the Mercedes lineup.

The 2025 Formula One season kicks off in Australia on March 16, with Antonelli being one of several rookies making the leap from Formula 2. Mercedes is set to unveil its new car on February 24, just days before the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain.