Kimi Antonelli told why he could be ‘booed’ by fans at Imola ahead of his first home Formula 1 race

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli would have dreamed of this moment for his entire life.

Having grown up less than an hour from Imola in Bologna, Kimi Antonelli will take part in the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix as it prepares for its final F1 event as a permanent fixture on the calendar.

Mercedes promoted the teenager after discovering Lewis Hamilton was leaving the team for Ferrari after 12 years together.

That could have piled a huge amount of pressure on Antonelli, but he’s already dealt with it expertly, even if Damon Hill suggested that people thought Mercedes lost their minds hiring Antonelli.

Although he’s yet to secure his first podium finish, the Italian already has a Sprint Race pole position to his name.

Antonelli has impressed Mercedes staff with his feedback, with the 18-year-old acting beyond his years behind the scenes within the team.

He’ll be buzzing about racing at Imola in front of thousands of Italian fans in Formula 1 for the first time, but former F2 champion and pundit Davide Valsecchi has warned why he might not get the friendliest reception.

READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats

Davide Valsecchi explains why Kimi Antonelli could get booed at Imola this weekend

Valsecchi was a guest on the F1 Nation Podcast and was asked about the hype already surrounding Antonelli ahead of his home race and said, “In Italy, you can imagine!

“It’s going to be huge and it’s also better for him because Ferrari is not performing so well.

“You know, in Italy, the Tifosi are strange.

“We are all for Ferrari, and sometimes in the past some Italian drivers in Imola, they were booed because they were beating Ferrari in the past.

“So, it’s better also for him that Ferrari is average at the moment, so he can have the support of all the Italian fans!”

Valsecchi is right to be concerned by Ferrari’s form, having looked slower than Williams during the previous race in Miami.

Ferrari fans are buzzing to see Lewis Hamilton race for the Scuderia for the first time on home turf, but Antonelli will have to hope that if he’s having a good race, he’s not preventing the Scuderia from turning their fortunes around.

Any driver who isn’t in a Ferrari is always going to get a tough reception in Italy, but they may make an exception for Antonelli as their long wait for one of their fellow countrymen to be in a top car is finally over.

READ MORE: All you need to know about Mercedes F1 Team from team principal to lineage

Kimi Antonelli still ‘somewhat lacking’ in one area after his Formula 1 debut

With only 20 spots on the F1 grid currently, this year’s crop of rookies are quickly learning how fast they need to get up to speed to avoid the pressure being piled on them.

Liam Lawson discovered after two races that Red Bull didn’t think he was up to scratch yet and his return to Racing Bulls has left Ralf Schumacher thinking Lawson won’t see out the season.

Franco Colapinto will make his Alpine debut at Imola after stepping into Jack Doohan’s seat following an ill-fated six-race spell in the car this year.

The writing appeared to be on the wall for Doohan before he had even taken to the start line in Australia after Flavio Briatore signed a host of reserve drivers to put the pressure on him.

Antonelli looks in no danger of being let go by Mercedes any time soon after a fantastic start to 2025.

James Hinchcliffe thinks Antonelli is still lacking in one area, but the more time he spends in the car, the more he’ll iron out any issues.

Antonelli only has a contract until the end of the season, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see that extended sooner rather than later.