At just eighteen years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is the youngest driver on the current grid. The Mercedes prodigy thus faces entirely different unexpected challenges off the track than his older colleagues. On the track, Antonelli is assisted in his daunting task of succeeding Lewis Hamilton by experienced race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made a strong start with a respective fourth and eighth place in the first two Grands Prix of the year. As the youngest driver on the grid at just eighteen years old, Antonelli sometimes faces unexpected challenges.
“I’m in my final year of school, and therefore have final exams,” Antonelli explains in The Fast and the Curious podcast. “I’m currently trying to find a date to take my exams, but it’s quite difficult.” The Italian driver is on the eve of a triple header, making it seem unlikely for now that Antonelli will be able to graduate.”
‘My Mother Wants It’
Previously, Antonelli’s team boss Toto Wolff expressed his desire to keep both the young Italian and his teammate George Russell at Mercedes for the long term. Despite this job security, Antonelli is keen to finish his high school education. “It would be a shame to quit in the final year of school. My mother also wants me to finish, so I’m doing it for her,” concludes the driver.
In addition to unexpected challenges off the track, Antonelli also faces the daunting task of performing well at Mercedes. Fortunately, the young driver has experienced race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington to assist him. “I’m really lucky to have him by my side, as he has so much experience. He has worked with Michael Schumacher and for many years with Lewis Hamilton. We get along well, and I know he can help me in any situation,” he says.
