Kimi Antonelli passes driving test ahead of F1 debut

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the 18-year-old rookie driver replacing Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes, has officially passed his driving test in Italy. This milestone comes just before his debut season in Formula 1, where he is set to partner George Russell, with the first race scheduled for March 16 in Australia. Antonelli, who has already obtained his Super Licence for F1, shared his achievement on Instagram, humorously noting 'mission complete.' His rapid rise through the ranks has sparked comparisons to Max Verstappen, especially as Antonelli could become the youngest F1 race winner if he takes victory in any of the first three races. Despite a crash during his practice session in Italy last year, team principal Toto Wolff remains supportive of Antonelli's potential. The Italian driver aims to restore Italian pride in F1, a sport that has not seen a local winner since 2006.