Former Formula 1 champion Nico Rosberg stated that he personally helped finance Kimi Antonelli‘s early karting career due to Mercedes withholding full funding support. Rosberg explained that while Antonelli was part of his junior karting team, the Silver Arrows did not cover the entire cost of his development, prompting Rosberg to step in financially.

Kimi Antonelli, currently one of Formula 1’s most promising rookies, made his debut with Mercedes in the 2025 season. Following the departure of seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton last year, team principal Toto Wolff promoted the 18-year-old Italian to the top tier. Antonelli has shown considerable potential, earning 48 points in eight races to hold seventh place in the championship standings.

At the 2025 Spanish Grand Prix, Rosberg shared insights about Antonelli’s karting background, revealing that he supported the young driver through his Rosberg Racing Academy since Mercedes did not provide full budget coverage. Speaking to Sky Sports, Rosberg said,

“He was in my karting team. And I even had to put in some of my own money because Mercedes was being such a cheapskate that they didn’t pay up the whole budget. It was a tiny amount, but I had to put in a bit myself. He was one of the best go-karting drivers we have ever seen in the history of go-karting.”

Antonelli has been part of Mercedes’ junior academy for several years prior to his Formula 1 promotion. Toto Wolff’s high expectations for Antonelli reflect hopes that the young driver might mirror the career trajectory of Red Bull’s Max Verstappen in achieving rapid success and prominence.

Despite his strong start, Antonelli’s current contract with Mercedes is set to expire at the end of this season, leaving some uncertainty about his long-term future with the team.

Antonelli’s Challenges with Tire Wear at Barcelona Circuit

During qualifying at the Spanish Grand Prix, Antonelli secured sixth position on the grid, while his teammate George Russell qualified fourth. After the session, the rookie expressed concerns about managing tire degradation on race day at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, where high temperatures and track conditions typically cause rapid tire wear.

Antonelli told Mirror.co.uk,

“There was a bit of time here and there, but tomorrow is going to be a lot about race pace. We’re going to race at the hottest time of the day, so degradation is going to be something to look at. It’s not going to be easy, but, overall, we’ve been doing a lot of long runs, so we have quite decent data. We’re also aware that the others are very fast, so let’s see. I’m ready to do my best.”

This season, Antonelli has yet to achieve a race victory or podium finish, but his consistent performances demonstrate his growing adaptation to the demands of Formula 1 racing.

Significance of Rosberg’s Support and Antonelli’s Progress

Rosberg’s admission of personally funding Antonelli highlights the financial challenges young drivers face even within elite racing programs like Mercedes’ junior academy. It also emphasizes the vital role former champions can play in nurturing emerging talent. Antonelli’s promising rookie season, backed by both the team and Rosberg’s guidance, positions him as a key figure in Mercedes’ future lineup, especially in the post-Hamilton era.

As Antonelli continues to develop, his ability to handle difficult conditions, such as tire degradation in Barcelona, will be crucial to his advancement. The expiration of his contract this year introduces questions about Mercedes’ commitment to his long-term career, making his performances during the remainder of the season a critical factor for contract renewal and future prospects.