An Unexpected Summons
“It is 2024, the year I turned 18. It was February and I was at Silverstone to do some F3 testing to learn the track, since I would be racing there with F2. At the end of that day I was called by Toto into his office“: this is how Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s story began on the SAP YouTube channel about his arrival in Formula 1.
A journey that started over a year earlier, since the Bolognese would debut in March 2025: “I entered his office, there was Toto and Rosa, who helps me during race weekends. And Toto didn’t waste time and went straight to the point. And it happened even before Lewis’s move to Ferrari was announced”.
Read more End of season, Domenicali: “Without the Middle East it would be in Europe, Imola among the options”
Antonelli talks about February (there are no exact references to the date of this private test), Lewis Hamilton was announced by Ferrari on the evening of February 1st – with rumors circulating since the morning. It is reasonable to assume that it all happened on that February 1st: “Toto told me: “Listen, Lewis is going to Ferrari. And we were thinking of putting you behind the wheel next year.” I thought: “Wow”. My eyes were wide open and I replied: “Are you kidding?”. I hadn’t even started F2 and I had a lot to prove. I said: “Ok”. And he said: “Well, if the opportunity arises, would you be ready?” and I replied: “Yes, well. I have to be ready”.
Antonelli at Mercedes: the official announcement on August 31, 2024
From there a long F1 testing plan, alongside the F2 championship. Then the official announcement, six months later, Antonelli recounted: “I was at home with my family. Toto organized this video call with all the big shots from Mercedes. There was James Allison, there was Gwen Lagrue, there was Bradley, there was Rosa.
Read more New Santa Fe, the strength of personality
Add FormulaPassion to your Favorite Sources on Google
Toto told me: “You will be our driver next year”. I was extremely happy, but at the same time it was such a big thing that it took me a while to realize it. I remember lying on a lounger on the terrace and staring at the sky trying to process what had just happened. I had just managed to realize my dreams”.
Read more BMW iX3 breaks record: 50,000 SUVs produced in Debrecen
