Andrea Kimi Antonelli shares ‘weird and strange’ reason behind Imola F1 target

Follow us on Google Discover

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will join the Mercedes team in Formula 1, replacing the outgoing Lewis Hamilton for 2025.

The Italian driver will partner George Russell and will be immediately under pressure at a team that should be expected to challenge for podiums and race wins.

Antonelli made his debut on a Grand Prix weekend in FP1 ahead of the Italian Grand Prix, showing spectacular speed before crashing at Curva Alboreto.

Mercedes’ new driver will have another opportunity to impress in a Formula 1 car this weekend at the Mexico City Grand Prix in FP1 as he prepares for his debut in Australia.

Antonelli will have two home races next year with one at Monza and the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix. But he explained to the Formula 2 website an unusual reason why he wants to win at Imola more than the Italian Grand Prix.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli wants to win at Imola most because the track is 25 minutes from his house

Antonelli has already competed at Imola in his career but is yet to take victory at his home circuit after racing there in multiple championships throughout his career.

The Italian driver stood on the podium, taking second place in FRECA as he ascended the ladder towards Formula 1.

This experience should help him adjust at a quicker rate when the race weekend at Imola begins next season. Antonelli has also tested in an F1 car at the track as part of an extensive programme to prepare him for F1.

The Mercedes driver explained that Imola’s close proximity to his house puts the venue at the top of his priority list above Monza when asked whether he would rather win at home or at Monaco.

READ MORE: Kimi Antonelli shares what Lewis Hamilton did in Singapore that he ‘didn’t expect’ to happen

He said: “My home races. Monza and Imola. I had two home races this year. To be honest, my real home race is Imola because it’s only 20-25 minutes from my house.

“In fact, during the weekend, I slept at my house which was really weird and strange. But I like it because you really feel at home.

“I’m not going to say Monza is not my home race, but it’s a bit further from my house. Imola is my first home race, and Monza is my second. I would like to win in Imola because I have not won there in my career so far, so I would really like to win there someday.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli will need to hit the ground running in 2025

Antonelli has been fast-tracked through the ranks towards Formula 1, winning titles in both Italian F4 and FRECA.

The Italian driver will have to learn a lot of new tracks next year, which Mercedes is helping Antonelli with as they installed a simulator at his house.

There will be a lot of added pressure on the 18-year-old and it is very rare for a rookie to make his debut at a top team, expected to race at the front.

He could lose confidence if he starts on the wrong foot and makes errors. The Mercedes driver will also have to keep the car on the track during his FP1 outing in Mexico this weekend.

That could be his last time in a competitive session before pre-season testing at the start of next year, ahead of the Italian’s F1 debut.