F1 newcomer Kimi Antonelli is unable to drive his new Mercedes-AMG GT due to being only 18 years old.
Mercedes-Benz
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Kimi Antonelli, a rookie in Formula 1, is just 18 years old and has already been tasked with the significant role of replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes-AMG. One of the benefits of this position is a company car. However, unlike the standard executive sedan, Antonelli’s vehicle is reportedly a Mercedes-AMG GT 63. Sounds fantastic, right? Unfortunately, the excitement for the teenager might be curtailed, as he cannot even drive it back home to Italy due to a new law that came into effect in December.
Italy now restricts all young drivers to vehicles with a maximum power-to-weight ratio of 75 kW (approximately 100 horsepower) per ton for the first three years after obtaining their license. It’s uncertain exactly which model Antonelli has received; Gazzetta Motori suggests it's a GT 63 S with 576 hp, although that variant isn't currently available for sale. Regardless, the power exceeds the legal limit. On the surface, the law appears reasonable, as most new drivers lack the necessary experience to manage high-powered cars.
However, Antonelli is definitely not among those inexperienced drivers, as he races a vehicle that generates over 1,000 hp per ton as part of his professional career.
Photos from an Italian-language interview Antonelli recently gave after receiving his matte blue GT 63. Mercedes-Benz
I’m not familiar with the specifics of Antonelli’s living situation, but he travels to a new country every few weeks during the season. He still attends public school, but due to his unique circumstances, he does so online. Like most Formula 1 teams, Mercedes is based in the U.K., enabling them to keep the GT on standby for him to drive while in the country. However, when Antonelli goes back home to visit family or during holidays, he would be legally unable to drive the sports car, even if he wished to.
Perhaps he doesn’t mind this limitation. The rookie has a strong passion for speed and typically fulfills that need more than most. To him, this might be seen as humorous. Still, it appears absurd at first glance, and maybe Antonelli could receive a special exemption given that he is already one of the most skilled drivers to hold an Italian license, notwithstanding his youth.
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F1 newcomer Kimi Antonelli is unable to drive his new Mercedes-AMG GT due to being only 18 years old.
Antonelli drives a car with 1,000 horsepower for his job, but a new law in Italy regarding young drivers prevents him from using his company vehicle.