") no-repeat center center;background-size:10px 16px;content:' '}@media(min-width:768px){.gpjOba::before{display:none}}.jWOIEi{aspect-ratio:16/9}.hWxisF{width:100%;box-sizing:border-box}@media(min-width:768px){.hWxisF{max-width:634px}}@media(min-width:1250px){.hWxisF{max-width:622px}}.dvfakS{display:flex;width:auto;box-sizing:border-box;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start;gap:4px;color:#ec1a2e}.ctXiMg{display:block;font:bold 14px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration-line:underline;margin-block:0;text-align:center}.CRIit{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px}.CRIit:hover .sc-aja53j-2,.CRIit:hover .sc-a5wy94-0{color:#ac2a2c}.ghJHgZ{font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.jlvSeZ{display:flex;position:relative;overflow:hidden;width:auto;height:40px;flex-direction:column;order:-1;gap:8px;opacity:1;transition:all .5s ease-in-out;transition-behavior:allow-discrete}.jlvSeZ::after{--fade-from:rgba(255,255,255,0);--fade-mid:rgba(255,255,255,0.5);--fade-to:#fff;position:absolute;bottom:0;left:0;z-index:1;width:100%;height:40px;background-image:linear-gradient(to bottom,var(--fade-from) 0,var(--fade-mid) 50%,var(--fade-to) 100%);content:'';opacity:1;pointer-events:none;transition:opacity 150ms ease-out}@media(min-width:768px){.ifXxYf{order:-1}}@media(min-width:768px){.gYsKvs{display:flex;position:relative;align-items:flex-start;margin-top:12px}}@media(min-width:1000px){.qHctg .taboola{display:none}}.qHctg:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails){min-height:426px}.qHctg:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:405px}@media(min-width:1000px){.qHctg:has(#taboola-carousel-thumbnails),.qHctg:has(#taboola-mid-article-thumbnails-crime){min-height:0}}.hCEqSm .tp-container-inner,.hCEqSm .sc-1suqprf-0{position:relative;box-shadow:0 -22px 16px 22px rgba(255,255,255,0.95)}.hCEqSm.closed{display:none}.jlMLQf{width:32px;color:#627aac}@media(min-width:768px){.jlMLQf.mobile-only{display:none}}.jlMLQf:hover{color:#9cabcb}.ilTwGS{width:32px;color:#4e4e4e}@media(min-width:768px){.ilTwGS.mobile-only{display:none}}.ilTwGS:hover{color:#919191}.hiqCrg{width:32px;color:#25d366}@media(min-width:768px){.hiqCrg.mobile-only{display:none}}.hiqCrg:hover{color:#66e093}.kiwuTP{width:32px;color:#ec1a2e}@media(min-width:768px){.kiwuTP.mobile-only{display:none}}.kiwuTP:hover{color:#f58992}.wViVX{display:flex;gap:12px}.cArLiK .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.cArLiK:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0,.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.cArLiK:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1,.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:block}.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:none}.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-0{display:none}.cArLiK.bookmark-button-saved:hover .sc-17yxc4y-1{display:block}.isfpiE{display:inline-block;width:32px;height:32px;color:#70a5a7}.ixvYXS{display:flex;flex-direction:row;justify-content:center;gap:12px}.hCHeth{display:flex;position:relative;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.hCHeth{justify-content:flex-end;padding-top:12px;margin:0}}.hvJvAA{display:flex}.sticky .hvJvAA{flex-direction:column}.kciiLJ{overflow:hidden;height:23px;margin-bottom:8px;border-bottom:0;clear:both}@media(min-width:768px){.kciiLJ{height:25px}}.fSsEip{display:inline-block;flex-shrink:0;margin:0 12px 0 0;font:bold 14px/normal 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.fSsEip::after{content:':'}.kdqbii{display:inline-block;margin-right:12px;margin-bottom:4px;color:#222;font:normal 14px/1.29 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration:underline}.kdqbii::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}@media(min-width:1000px){.subscribed .lkPksW{margin-top:-184px}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .subscribed .lkPksW{margin-top:-407px}}.lkPksW>p{margin:16px 0}.article-premium .lkPksW>p{line-height:27px}.lkPksW>h2{font-size:21px}.article-climate .lkPksW>h2{color:#ec1a2e}.article-sgi .lkPksW>h2{color:#ec1a2e}.lkPksW>p:first-child{margin-top:0}.lkPksW span:first-child~p:first-of-type{margin-top:0}.cnknzo{display:flex;position:relative;max-width:100%;min-height:600px;justify-content:center;margin:0 auto;background-color:transparent;clear:both}@media(min-width:1000px){.cnknzo{min-height:450px}}.teads .cnknzo{display:block}.cnknzo [data-mpu]{position:sticky;top:16px}@media(min-width:1000px){.dTdlgq{display:none}}.dTdlgq[data-mpu1]{min-height:600px}.dTdlgq.pb-20{padding-bottom:20px}.gMxIQB{margin:0 0 24px;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.fJIQUi{font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.eFDpwi{overflow:hidden;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;margin-bottom:16px}@media(min-width:768px){.eFDpwi{max-width:634px}}@media(min-width:1250px){.eFDpwi{max-width:622px}}.jkkqcL{width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;padding:8px 12px 12px;border-top:8px solid #ec1a2e;background-color:#fde8ea}@media(min-width:768px){.jkkqcL{padding-top:4px;padding-bottom:12px}}.dDFcwe{font:bold 22px/26px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;margin:0 0 12px;text-align:center}@media(min-width:768px){.dDFcwe{font:bold 30px/34px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.048px;margin-bottom:12px;text-align:left}}.jbPJqN{display:block;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.jbPJqN{display:none}}.fdEOdF{display:flex;width:100%;box-sizing:border-box;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px;background-color:#fde8ea;color:#ec1a2e}@media(min-width:768px){.fdEOdF{width:auto;justify-content:flex-start}}.bcQtEw{display:block;font:bold 14px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;text-decoration-line:underline;margin-block:0;text-align:center}.jIgCsj{display:inline-flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:4px}.jIgCsj:hover .sc-hez36s-5,.jIgCsj:hover .sc-a5wy94-0{color:#ac2a2c}.bhFQeV{font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}.kqOtlp{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column}@media(min-width:768px){.kqOtlp{display:flow-root;gap:24px;transition:margin-bottom .3s ease-in-out}}.bvgAkY{display:flex;width:100%;flex-direction:column;align-items:center;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:768px){.bvgAkY{position:relative;z-index:1;width:212px;flex-shrink:0;justify-content:flex-start;margin-left:24px;float:right}}.ZbvOr{display:none;flex-direction:row;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px}@media(min-width:768px){.ZbvOr{display:flex;margin-top:12px}}.cqHcKs{display:flex;width:100%;align-items:center;justify-content:center;gap:8px;margin-top:8px;margin-bottom:12px}@media(min-width:768px){.cqHcKs{display:none}}@media(min-width:768px){.bjQKsM{order:-1}}.gBaKpR .sc-aja53j-5::after{--fade-from:rgba(253,232,234,0);--fade-mid:rgba(253,232,234,0.5);--fade-to:#fde8ea}@media(min-width:360px){.gBaKpR .sc-aja53j-5 .sc-aja53j-7{display:none}}.dVyExd{display:flex;min-height:600px;justify-content:center}@media(min-width:1000px){.dVyExd{min-height:450px}}.jHlYLm{min-height:600px}@media(min-width:1000px){.jHlYLm{min-height:450px}}.jHlYLm.mobile-only{display:block}@media(min-width:1000px){.jHlYLm.mobile-only{display:none}}.jHlYLm.desktop-only{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.jHlYLm.desktop-only{display:block;margin-bottom:16px}}.jHlYLm.desktop-only+p{margin-top:0}.jHlYLm .third-party-ad{position:sticky;top:16px}.czoMqL{width:100%;flex-grow:1}.czoMqL .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide]{display:block;overflow:hidden;max-height:360px}.czoMqL .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide] .social-share{display:none}.czoMqL .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide].show-all-content{max-height:100%}@media(max-width:594px){.czoMqL .amp-article-content[amp-access][amp-access-hide]{max-height:530px}}.czoMqL .amp-newsletter-reg-gate{position:relative;left:-12px;width:calc(100% + 24px)}.czoMqL .social-share{width:100%;padding-top:10px;padding-bottom:20px}@media(min-width:768px){.czoMqL .social-share{justify-content:flex-start}}.czoMqL .social-share.sticky{display:none}@media(min-width:1000px){.czoMqL .social-share.sticky{display:flex;position:sticky;top:14px;width:34px;flex-direction:column;padding-top:0;margin-top:0;margin-left:-25%}.czoMqL .social-share.sticky amp-social-share,.czoMqL .social-share.sticky .sc-mgcah7-0{margin:0 0 16px}.article-feature-video .czoMqL .social-share.sticky{margin-top:0}.article-feature:not(.article-feature-video) .czoMqL .social-share.sticky{margin-top:35%}}.czoMqL.sponsored-article img,.czoMqL.sponsored-article video{width:100%;max-width:602px;height:auto}.czoMqL.sponsored-article iframe{max-width:602px;max-height:400px}.czoMqL .under-article-prompt-donations{padding-bottom:8px;margin-top:-3px}.czoMqL .big-letter{--color:#222;display:flex;position:relative;width:0;height:0;align-items:center;justify-content:center;padding:40px;margin-top:22px;margin-right:12px;border:1px solid var(--color);float:left;font:normal 52px/1 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;text-transform:uppercase}.czoMqL .big-letter:first-child{margin-top:6px}.czoMqL .big-letter::before{position:absolute;top:0;left:0;width:100%;height:100%;box-sizing:border-box;border:1px solid var(--color);border-radius:50%;content:''}.czoMqL #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:2350px}@media(min-width:768px){.czoMqL #taboola-below-article-1{min-height:3370px}}.czoMqL #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:130px}@media(min-width:768px){.czoMqL #taboola-below-article-1-split-num-1{min-height:415px}}.czoMqL .sc-fwko30-0+.sc-1xtsh2b-0{margin-top:-16px}@media(min-width:768px){.czoMqL{max-width:636px;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.czoMqL{max-width:624px;margin:0}.czoMqL.subscribed{max-width:636px}}@media(max-width:999px){.czoMqL{padding-right:0}.czoMqL .under-article-prompt-donations{margin-top:-18px}}.czoMqL .anchor-nav-header{scroll-margin-top:79px}.czoMqL .anchor-nav-header a{color:#222}.czoMqL .anchor-nav-header a:hover{color:#222}.hxWiMl{display:flex;flex-wrap:wrap;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:8px;color:#fff;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.hxWiMl{width:70%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-start;margin-bottom:0;font:normal 16px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.hxWiMl{width:70%;margin-bottom:0}}.hIiCJP{display:flex;height:20px;margin:0 12px 8px 0}.article-voices .hIiCJP{height:auto}@media(min-width:425px){.article-voices .hIiCJP{height:20px}}.hIiCJP::before{display:inline-block;align-self:center;margin-top:1px;margin-right:12px;content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.hIiCJP:first-child::before{content:none}@media(min-width:768px){.hIiCJP{height:24px;margin-bottom:0}.hIiCJP::before{margin-top:2px}}.hIiCJP time{display:block}.hIiCJP time::first-letter {text-transform:capitalize}.kQUTeT{display:inline-block;margin:0 12px 8px 0;color:#ef4757;font:bold 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;letter-spacing:-0.5px}.kQUTeT:hover,.kQUTeT:active{color:#f58992}@media(min-width:768px){.kQUTeT{margin-bottom:0}}.bouHwM{margin:0 12px 8px -8px}@media(min-width:768px){.bouHwM{margin-bottom:0}}.kCpbyG{margin:0 4px 8px 0}.kCpbyG::before{display:inline-block;margin-top:2px;margin-right:12px;color:#fff;content:'\2022';transform:scale(1.5)}.kCpbyG:first-child::before{display:none}@media(min-width:768px){.kCpbyG{margin-bottom:0}}.kuCYzg{display:flex;justify-content:flex-start;padding:0;margin:0 0 16px}@media(min-width:768px){.kuCYzg{display:flex;width:30%;align-items:center;justify-content:flex-end;margin:0}}@media(min-width:1000px){.kuCYzg{width:30%}}.gpMjkH{padding-top:0;border-top:0;border-bottom:0}@media(min-width:768px){.gpMjkH{display:flex;flex-flow:row wrap;padding-bottom:16px}.gpMjkH .sc-1qz44j0-0{order:1}.gpMjkH .sc-1qz44j0-6{order:2}}@media(min-width:1000px){.gpMjkH{flex-direction:row}}.bmsYCE{padding:16px 12px 12px;text-align:left;font:bold 14px/18px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.bmsYCE{padding:16px 16px 12px}}.article-infact .bmsYCE{padding:16px 0}@media(min-width:1000px){.bmsYCE{padding:24px 0 19px}.article-feature .bmsYCE{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto}}.bmsYCE a{color:#fff}.bmsYCE a:hover{color:#f58992}.bmsYCE a:hover::after{color:#fff}.bmsYCE a::after{margin-right:4px;margin-left:4px;content:'>'}.bmsYCE a:last-child::after{display:none}.bPeEQC{margin:0 0 20px;letter-spacing:0}.bpwcVt{margin:0;color:#fff;font:normal 16px/20px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}@media(min-width:768px){.bpwcVt{font:normal 18px/22px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}@media(min-width:1000px){.bpwcVt{font:normal 20px/24px 'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif}}.bpwcVt p{font:inherit}.article-feature .bpwcVt a{font-weight:bold}.jaLjpk{max-width:968px;margin:0 auto;background:#222}@media(min-width:1000px){.jaLjpk{padding:0 16px}.parallax .jaLjpk{max-width:1240px}}.clZtvZ{font:bold 32px/36px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0156em}@media(min-width:768px){.clZtvZ{font:bold 44px/48px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0113em}}@media(min-width:1000px){.clZtvZ{font:bold 54px/58px 'Indy Serif','Indy Serif Fallback',serif;letter-spacing:-0.0092em}}.cEPZGL{background:#222}.cEPZGL .sc-qvufca-1{max-width:968px;background:#222}.cEPZGL .sc-qvufca-0{margin:0}@media(max-width:999px){.cEPZGL .sc-qvufca-0{margin:0 12px 0}}.cEPZGL .sc-qvufca-2,.cEPZGL .sc-aeekvc-0{color:#fff}.cEPZGL .sc-qvufca-2{margin:0 0 20px}.cEPZGL .sc-aeekvc-0{margin-bottom:16px}.hIqZkH{max-width:100%;clear:both}.ldpSwp{--bleed:12px;display:flex;box-sizing:border-box;flex-direction:row;gap:32px;padding:16px var(--bleed);background-color:#fff}.article-liveblog .ldpSwp{background-color:#f7f7f7}@media(min-width:768px){.ldpSwp{--bleed:0;max-width:1000px;margin:0 auto}}@media(min-width:1000px){.ldpSwp{--bleed:16px;max-width:1000px;padding:var(--bleed)}}.ilJfaV{overflow:hidden;height:0;color:transparent}.fIgmuu{max-width:100%;margin:0 0 20px}.fIgmuu.sticky{position:sticky;top:16px}.grPbuS{min-height:600px}.grPbuS #mpu1{position:sticky;top:16px}.jfSvuX{min-height:250px}.kdHApG{max-width:100%}.dgoHoz{margin:0 0 6px;color:#646464;font-family:'Indy Sans','Indy Sans Fallback',sans-serif;font-size:15px}.eSkAOW{margin:0 0 12px}.ctSnkl{height:380px}.cCOQKx{width:100%;height:51px}.NgRo{margin-bottom:16px;border-bottom:1px solid #919191}.ksidoU{margin-bottom:16px}.ksidoU [role='listitem']{position:relative;margin-bottom:12px;border-bottom:1px solid #d3d3d3}.ksidoU [role='listitem'] .sc-u4n1j-0{display:flex;position:absolute;bottom:16px;left:10px;width:32px;height:32px;align-items:center;justify-content:center;border-radius:50%;background-color:#ec1a2e}.ksidoU [role='listitem'] .sc-u4n1j-0>svg{width:90%;fill:#fff;stroke:transparent}.ksidoU [role='listitem']:first-child{display:block;padding-bottom:0;margin-bottom:12px}.ksidoU [role='listitem']:first-child .sc-u4n1j-0{top:-15px;bottom:auto;left:12px}.ksidoU [role='listitem']:first-child>*:first-child{display:block;width:100%;height:205px}.ksidoU [role='listitem']:first-child>*:last-child{--content-bg:#222;--content-bg-opaque:rgba(34,34,34,0.7);position:absolute;bottom:0;width:100%;padding:28px 12px 12px;background:linear-gradient(to top,var(--content-bg) 70%,var(--content-bg-opaque) 100%) no-repeat;color:#fff;font-size:17px;font-weight:bold}.ksidoU [role='listitem']:last-child{margin-bottom:0;border-bottom:0 none}.bhdekM{min-height:1924px}@media(max-width:767px){.bhdekM{display:none}}.dvQXpA{width:308px}.dvQXpA.hidden{display:none}@media(max-width:999px){.dvQXpA{display:none}}.article-liveblog .bZTaXI{background-color:#f7f7f7}.wQyIS{justify-content:center}.jQYxbM{justify-content:center}
F1 Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli passes driving test – just weeks before F1 debut The 18-year-old Italian protégé is replacing Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows this year
Kieran Jackson Formula 1 Correspondent
Wednesday 29 January 2025 12:41 GMT
George Russell welcomes Kimi Antonelli to Mercedes F1 team for 2025 Your support helps us to tell the story From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference. Read more Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has passed his road driving test – just six weeks before he makes his Formula 1 debut in Australia.
Italian hotshot Antonelli, 18, is replacing Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows in 2025 after a distinguished junior career . He will partner British driver George Russell .
Antonelli, who hails from Bologna, turned 18 last August and as such has been learning to gain his road driving licence, with 18 the minimum age to drive in Italy.
Mercedes confirmed that Antonelli had passed his test this week, with the 18-year-old saying “Mission completed” as he posed at the wheel of a road car.
Antonelli finished sixth in his debut F2 season last year, racing for Prema alongside Haas driver Ollie Bearman, but his impressive junior resume prior to that persuaded Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff to give the teenager a dream opportunity at the F1 giants.
The Italian made his F1 weekend debut last year at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, crashing just 10 minutes into his first practice session at Parabolica corner.
Kimi Antonelli passed his driving test this week (Instagram - @kimi.antonelli) Antonelli completed thousands of miles of testing in F1 machinery last year in preparation for his highly anticipated rookie season.
He will be present at pre-season testing in Bahrain from 26-28 February and, a fortnight later, will make his debut at Albert Park in Melbourne.
Mercedes launch their 2025 car, the W16, on Monday 24 February. They will unveil their 2025 livery at the 10-team season launch event at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday 18 February.
It is the first year since 2012 that Mercedes won’t have Hamilton in one of their cars.
Thank you for registering Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments