Sun May 18 12:50:00 UTC 2025: ## Summary:

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old Italian F1 rookie driving for Mercedes, is balancing his debut season with his final school exams. Ahead of his first Italian Grand Prix at Imola, located near his hometown of Bologna, Antonelli invited his entire class and two teachers to the Imola paddock to experience the world of Formula 1 firsthand. He hopes the visit will allow them to better understand the sport beyond what they see on TV and strengthen his connection with his classmates due to his limited time at home. Antonelli is the first Italian driver in F1 since 2021 and is generating considerable excitement, though he remains realistic about the potential for overwhelming Ferrari support at the race.

## News Article:

**Antonelli Invites Classmates to Imola Paddock Ahead of Home Grand Prix**

**Imola, Italy -** Italian Formula 1 rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, racing for Mercedes, brought a touch of local flavor to the Imola paddock today, inviting his entire high school class to experience the world of Formula 1 firsthand ahead of this weekend’s Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix. The 18-year-old, balancing his debut F1 season with final exams, extended the invitation to 25 classmates and two teachers from the Salvemini di Casalecchio di Reno Technical Institute, located in his hometown of Bologna.

“I organised this – thanks also to some people at Mercedes,” Antonelli stated during Thursday’s press conference. “I think it’s a good way for them to see with their own eyes this world. They used to watch the races on TV, but didn’t actually know what’s going on behind it.”

Antonelli, who replaced Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes this season, emphasized the importance of maintaining connections despite his demanding schedule. “It’s a good way to keep the relationship because I don’t spend much time at home, so I don’t see them often. These little things can make the difference.”

The local favorite, and the first Italian driver in F1 since 2021, is already feeling the excitement of racing on home soil. While acknowledging the overwhelming support Ferrari traditionally receives in Italy, Antonelli playfully expressed hope for a strong showing of support for his own efforts this weekend. “Hopefully more Kimi Antonelli! But yeah, Ferrari is so big that it would be a bit ambitious to see more of my flags. But I would not complain.”

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