Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a young Italian Formula 1 driver and a member of the Mercedes F1 team since the beginning of 2025. He joined the team as a replacement for one of the best of all time, Lewis Hamilton. His team recently loaned him a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe, but he will not be able to drive it for the next few years.

The 18-year-old is one of F1’s biggest talents, but despite recently getting his driving licence, he won’t be able to use his new car on public roads for the next three years. Under Italian law, which came into effect on December 14, 2024, new drivers cannot drive a car with more than 100 hp for the first three years.

The Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S Coupe is powered by a 4.0-L V8 biturbo engine with 630 hp (470 kW) and 664 lb-ft (900 Nm) of torque. Power is sent to all wheels via a 9-speed sequential automatic transmission.

This is Antonelli’s first Formula 1 season. He made three starts, set 1 fastest lap and managed to score 30 points, which is more than good for a rookie. Also, at the Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix, he became the youngest driver in history to lead a Formula 1 race.

Source: Mercedes