{"title":"Kimi Antonelli","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0559\/9195\/9646\/files\/kimi-antonelli-60-crop_1.png?v=1774816676\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eAndrea Kimi Antonelli’s rise to the F1 grid has been nothing short of meteoric. Son of sportscar racer Marco, the Bologna native was scouted by Mercedes during a karting career that saw him collect a scarcely believable number of winner's trophies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eHe went on to make his car racing debut aged just 15, with more titles swiftly following – in both the Italian and ADAC F4 championships in 2022 and the Formula Regional Middle East and European categories a year later.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eMost onlookers saw F3 as the logical next move, but Mercedes already knew they had a star on their hands and decided that promotion to F2 – effectively skipping a step on the ladder – would better serve their latest hot prospect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eIt was always going to be a lot to ask of the teenager, with the noise around his future prospects only growing when Lewis Hamilton dropped the bombshell that he would be swapping Mercedes for Ferrari in 2025 – opening up a spot alongside George Russell.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eAntonelli got his head down to make a solid rather than spectacular start to life in F2, consistently scoring points, but not yet reaching the podium, while his Prema Racing team and the rest of the grid tried to understand the nuances of the series’ new car package.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eThen, midway through the season, Antonelli started to show a much larger audience what he could do – while delivering on the faith that Mercedes talent spotter Gwen Lagrue and team boss Toto Wolff had placed in him.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eA breakthrough Sprint victory in the rain at Silverstone was followed by a maiden Feature win at the Hungaroring, before he left the paddock speechless at Spa-Francorchamps with a stunningly brave wet-weather move on Franco Colapinto into Eau Rouge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eMercedes had seen enough and, shortly after Antonelli’s 18th birthday, the squad announced at the Italian Grand Prix that the home favourite would indeed be replacing seven-time world champion Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"\u003eTough shoes to fill, but despite some mid-season blips in form, Antonelli’s rookie season included three podiums and 150 points – more than enough to ensure his Formula 1 future looks brighter than ever.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sparkmodel-1-18-mercedes-amg-petronas-w16-12-k-antonelli-pole-course-sprint-gp-miami-2025","title":"Sparkmodel 1\/18 Mercedes AMG Petronas W16 #12 K.Antonelli Pole Course Sprint GP Miami 2025","description":"\u003cp\u003e \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch1\u003eSparkmodel 1\/18 Mercedes AMG Petronas W16 #12 K.Antonelli Pole Position\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSparkmodel's 1\/18-scale Mercedes-AMG Petronas W16 captures K. Antonelli's pole-position machine from the 2025 Miami Sprint GP. Precision-engineered with authentic livery, detailed cockpit, and replica aerodynamic components. A premium collectible for Formula 1 enthusiasts and serious model builders seeking museum-quality craftsmanship and historical accuracy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSKU: 18S1253\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sparkmodel","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42583441047646,"sku":"18S1253","price":349.99,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0559\/9195\/9646\/files\/antpole.jpg?v=1775394243"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0559\/9195\/9646\/collections\/kimi-antonelli-1500x1500.png?v=1774816696","url":"https:\/\/racingmodelshop.com\/en-ca\/collections\/kimi-antonelli-1.oembed","provider":"Racing Model Shop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}