Kimi Antonelli, the teenage racing driver for Mercedes, was unharmed after crashing his newly acquired Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO Motorsport Collectors Edition near his residence in San Marino just hours before the start of the 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The incident occurred on the evening of Saturday, February 10, in the Serravalle area, according to multiple reports from German and Italian media outlets.
Details of the Incident and Vehicle Damage
Mercedes confirmed on Tuesday that Antonelli was involved in the accident. The team stated,
“We can confirm that Kimi was involved in a traffic accident near his home in San Marino on Saturday evening,”
adding that
“Police were on the scene after being notified by Kimi. No other vehicle was involved, and although his car was damaged, Kimi was completely unharmed.”
Police investigations revealed that the car left a damage trail measuring approximately 144 meters, impacting a roadside pole on the right side before striking the central barrier twice and finally stopping against a retaining wall. While some media suggested high speed may have played a role, no official confirmation has been provided.
Exclusive Nature and Value of the Car
The car Antonelli crashed is a highly exclusive model, one of only 200 units worldwide. It draws design inspiration from Mercedes’ 2024 Silver Arrow Formula 1 car and is equipped with a powerful 612-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine. Industry experts estimate its value at around EUR 230,000, highlighting the significance of the loss in terms of both rarity and cost.
License and Living Arrangements Influence Vehicle Choice
Antonelli had taken delivery of the car just days before the accident. Notably, he obtained his driver’s license in San Marino, avoiding Italy’s stricter regulations on high-powered vehicles for novice drivers. This allowed him to legally drive a high-performance car that would otherwise be restricted in Italy, influencing his decision to base himself in San Marino as he began living independently.
No Impact on Racing Schedule Despite Crash
Though the crash was a notable incident, it has no effect on Antonelli’s racing commitments. He has already traveled to Bahrain and is set to participate in the first official group test of the 2026 season at the Sakhir circuit from February 11 to 13. His scheduled sessions include runs on Wednesday and Friday afternoons, as well as Thursday morning, ensuring he remains fully focused on preparation for the upcoming racing season.
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