Andrea Kimi Antonelli has officially passed his driving test in Italy ahead of the 2025 Formula 1 season.
As part of the prerequisites to earn an FIA super licence, the 18-year-old had to have a valid driving licence in the country that he is registered.
Citizens of Italy have to wait until they are 18 years old before they are allowed to take their test, which Kimi Antonelli did in August last year.
But due to his packed motorsport schedule between Mercedes testing, travelling to races with the team, and competing in the Formula 2 championship, he has been unable to take the test until fairly recently.
Lando Norris sent a message to him on Instagram to commemorate him passing his test just weeks before the season is due to begin at Melbourne for the Austalian Grand Prix.
Lando Norris sends 250kph message to Andrea Kimi Antonelli
Kimi Antonelli posted a picture of himself after he passed with the caption “Mission completed” with ticks for both his driving licence and the super licence he requries to race in F1.
The Italian has already completed several thousand miles testing an F1 car before his full-time debut this year, while also appearing in Friday practice sessions for Mercedes at the Italian and Mexican Grands Prix.
Writing to Kimi Antonelli on Instagram, Norris sent a rather comical message: “Up to 250kph! Damn! Hope he doesn’t go any faster than that this year!”
Antonelli will make his public debut with the team this year at pre-season testing, which takes place in Bahrain on 26-28th February.
Toto Wolff makes one prediction for Andrea Kimi Antonelli for Australian Grand Prix
There is a degree of risk associated with promoting Kimi Antonelli so early in his career, especially given that he won his last single seater title at Formula Regional level.
Mercedes were impressed with how Kimi Antonelli handled a difficult season with Prema in F2, given the team is usually the favourites to take the title.
READ MORE: Know all about 2025 Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli including stats
Toto Wolff has low expectations for Kimi Antonelli at the opening of the season, given that he wants to allow him time to settle into the team.
Mercedes has built a great support network around Kimi Antonelli since he joined the team, which will play a role in how he adapts to the pressure of being an F1 driver.
