At 18, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is not only one of Formula 1's youngest drivers but also one of its most disciplined. Competing in his rookie season for Mercedes while completing Italy's Maturità exams, Antonelli has shown that balancing education and elite sport is possible with determination and support.
According to Sportsnet, Antonelli returned to Bologna immediately after securing his maiden F1 podium to sit in his final exams. Italy's Maturità is notoriously rigorous, with oral and written tests across multiple subjects. Passing meant long nights revising after race weekends.
'Quitting school wouldn't have been the best decision', Antonelli told Motorsport.com. 'I would have probably felt guilty over the years, just knowing I hadn't finished what I started'.
Kimi Antonelli celebrates his Graduation with ADIDAS in Style 😉🎂
Skipping F1 movie premieres to prioritise exams
Antonelli sacrificed glamorous commitments to graduate. He missed the London and New York premieres of F1: The Movie in mid‑June, according to The Sun, choosing instead to complete coursework and study for exams.
Teachers adjusted his school schedule to accommodate his F1 travel. Classroom coordinator Alessandra Regina explained, 'He was determined to graduate, even if it meant studying late at night after races'.
Podium success raises the stakes for the Mercedes driver
Balancing academics with racing was especially challenging given Antonelli's early success. At the Japanese Grand Prix, he became the youngest F1 driver to lead a race and set fastest lap. Just one week later, he finished third at the Canadian Grand Prix on 15 June 2025, becoming the third‑youngest podium finisher in Formula 1 history.
By the end of June, Antonelli had scored 63 championship points, per Reuters. That tally left him only 16 points behind teammate George Russell and ahead of several experienced drivers. For a rookie, this was a remarkable return.
Fans admired his ability to refocus on exams after such milestones. One Reddit user asked: 'How can you study for an exam after standing on an F1 podium?'
Kimi Antonelli passes his final school exams to graduate from high school 🧠
Mercedes struggles test Antonelli's resilience
Completing his Maturità has not eased all pressures. Mercedes have struggled with technical issues, leading to retirements and finishes outside the points in recent races. Technical director James Allison admitted the team had taken 'wrong steps' in car development, which affected both Antonelli and Russell's results, according to Reuters.
Yet Antonelli remains composed. 'It's been tough, but I'm learning every weekend', he told Motorsport.com. His maturity suggests the discipline needed to balance school and racing has strengthened his approach to setbacks.
Why Kimi Antonelli's story inspires F1 fans and students alike
Antonelli's journey resonates beyond motorsport. Many young people struggle to balance education with other ambitions, and his example shows it can be done.
He credits his support network for helping him succeed, teachers who called and messaged during race weekends, and Mercedes staff who allowed him to revise between sessions. 'It was never just me doing this', he said. 'There was always someone helping me stay on track'.
What's next for the Mercedes rookie in the 2025 F1 season?
With school now behind him, Antonelli can focus entirely on the second half of the 2025 F1 season. Mercedes will work to recover competitiveness, but the Italian's early podiums prove he can contend at the front when given the machinery.
'Finishing school has freed my mind', Antonelli told Sportsnet. 'Now I can put 100% into racing'.
Fans and experts believe he has the talent and mindset to become a future world champion. His story offers a reminder that even in the fast lane, education matters.
