Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young Mercedes driver, has reflected on his remarkable debut at the Australian Grand Prix, where he secured a commendable fourth place despite difficult wet weather conditions. Competing against the best in Formula 1, Antonelli expressed his surprise at the intensity required to maintain pace with the front-runners during his inaugural race.
The 18-year-old Italian, who has been earmarked by Mercedes to replace the legendary Lewis Hamilton after the seven-time world champion's switch to Ferrari, showcased his potential by storming through the field. Despite qualifying in 16th position following a mishap that damaged his car, he made an impressive recovery and finished in the points.
“Definitely, for a first race they were not the easiest of conditions,” Antonelli said in a news conference held on Thursday ahead of his next challenge in Shanghai for the Chinese Grand Prix. He commented on the nerves he felt starting from the back of the grid: “I was a bit nervous, because I started at the back in the rain, and things can happen, but it was a good experience.”
What astonished him was the level of intensity required in Formula 1. “What really surprised me was the level of intensity that I have to keep in order to perform and be able to stay with the front-runners. It’s all so intense. As a driver, you want to be on the top of your game,” he said.
Antonelli, who only started driving single-seater cars in 2021 and skipped Formula 3 to accelerate his development with Mercedes, has received private testing in older cars last year, resulting in his rapid rise to F1. His performance in Melbourne made him the youngest debutant in F1 history to score points, which he described as a significant boost to his confidence. “Melbourne was a good boost of confidence. I think I was a little bit too tense, especially when it was time for Qualifying. Now, I definitely feel a lot more relaxed and a lot more in control of the situation,” Antonelli elaborated.
However, the debut was not without its challenges. Antonelli experienced a close scare on the first lap when he nearly crashed, catching a snap of oversteer at turn five. A fellow rookie, Jack Doohan, was less fortunate, losing control and crashing out. “I got really scared,” Antonelli admitted. “I cannot really say what I thought in the moment because it would have been… but definitely, it was a big save. Not bad to start lap one.”
Reeling from the intensity of his first race, Antonelli found the entire experience exhilarating. “The whole race was really enjoyable,” he remarked. He noted the tricky grip conditions on the track, especially when it rained. Learning how to manage tire choice effectively throughout the race was crucial. “During the Safety Car when we switched to slicks, I remember looking at the board and we were already on lap 40. I was like, ‘we’re at the end of the race’,” he recounted.
With the Shanghai International Circuit set to host the first Sprint weekend of the 2025 season, Antonelli is looking forward to this transition into a new racing format. “It’s a new format, definitely different compared to Melbourne, so it’s going to be important to be on top of it straightaway,” he explained regarding the limited practice time before the Sprint Qualifying.
The F1 paddock reconvened in China on March 20, 2025, as anticipation builds for the new challenges ahead. Antonelli’s veteran teammate, George Russell, shared insights on the team's competitive standing, suggesting that McLaren might still have a slight edge over Mercedes. “Unfortunately, yes, for the time being,” Russell noted. He also highlighted the ongoing competition with Red Bull and Ferrari, saying, “I think things went slightly away from them and I’m sure that once Lewis gets his head around the new car, he’ll be fully on it as well.”
Despite the hurdles faced during his debut, Antonelli's experiences have set a solid foundation for a promising F1 career. As he gears up for the upcoming race, the young star reflects positively on his growth and what lies ahead. “Definitely there’s still lots to learn, but really looking forward to this weekend.” His journey from a rookie driver to a competitive force in Formula 1 has only just begun, and the motorsport world watches with keen interest.
