Emilia-Romagna GP: Andrea Kimi Antonelli invites classmates to Imola Paddock

The feeling of racing for Mercedes adolescents, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, invited her class to join him at the Imola Paddock before the Grand Prix of Emilia-Romagna, his first Formula 1 race in Italy.

Antonelli, 18, combines his F1 recruit season with his final exams, on the insistence of her mother.

The Sunday race is on the Imola circuit just at the bottom of the Bologna road, where Antonelli was born and grew up, more where he studies in Salvemini di Casalecchio di Reno Technical Institute.

At the invitation of Mercedes, 25 of his classmates and two teachers joined him on Thursday on the circuit for an overview of his other life.

“Yes, I organized this – thanks to some people at Mercedes. We were able to organize this for the school,” said Antonelli at the press conference on Thursday. “I think it’s a good way for them to see this world with their own eyes.

“They were watching the shopping on television, but didn’t really know what was going on behind. I think it’s a very good experience and I really hope they will appreciate it.

“We have organized certain activities – later, I will show them the car and explain a little, without going too much in the details. It is a good way to keep the relationship because I do not spend much time at home, so I don’t see them often. These little things can make the difference.”

The Italian replaced Lewis Hamilton this year after the world champion move to Ferrari seven times.

Imola is the other side of Bologna to Maranello, the legendary house of Ferrari, a team with an almost religious suite in Italy.

Antonelli is the first Italian to run in Formula 1 since Antonio Giovinazzi in 2021 and his beginnings caused an excitement buzz at home.

The local favorite laughed when he was asked if he thought there would be more Antonelli or Ferrari flags around the circuit this weekend.

“Well, I don’t know. I hope that the more Kimi Antonelli! But yes, Ferrari is so big that it would be a bit ambitious to see more of my flags. But I would not complain.”