Driving test week ‘hell’ for F1 rookie Antonelli

Andrea Kimi Antonelli says he had a week “like hell” in the build-up to his debut season in Formula 1 – but not because of the pressure of replacing Lewis Hamilton.

The 18-year-old rookie passed his driving test in January, six weeks before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

While there were no major scares for Antonelli, he did make “one little mistake” on his theory test. “But I had three allowed, so it was fine,” the Italian told BBC Sport.

Antonelli is George Russell’s new team-mate at Mercedes, after seven-time world champion Hamilton left to join Ferrari on a multi-year deal.

All 10 teams and 20 drivers will be at the O2 Arena in London on Tuesday to showcase their new liveries at the F1 75 live show.

To compete in F1, drivers do not need a regular road licence. They do, however, need to be 18 years old and have obtained a super licence, the qualification issued by the sport’s governing body, the FIA.

“I was really nervous, first of all,” said Antonelli. “That week was like hell because I was really studying and practising because I knew I only had that shot.

“The preparations start and then the season starts and I had no time to do the driving test again. So I was super happy to have passed straight away.”

Oliver Bearman, the 19-year-old Briton also starting his first full F1 campaign in 2025, made one crucial error on his first test.

“I passed second time and I shouldn’t have said that,” Haas’ Bearman joked.

“I didn’t stop at a ‘stop’ sign. I didn’t burn through, I slowed down and I was crawling but you are supposed to stop. We don’t have ‘stop’ signs at a race track so that was my first sighting of a ‘stop’ sign.”

The first grand prix of the 24-race calendar takes place in Melbourne from 14-16 March.