Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has announced his graduation from high school while managing the demands of his rookie Formula 1 season. After the Canadian Grand Prix, instead of attending the world premiere of the new F1 movie in New York, the Italian racer returned to his hometown to take a final exam, demonstrating his commitment to both racing and education.
Determined to Finish School Despite Racing Commitments
Antonelli revealed the challenges of keeping up with studies amid his busy schedule. Speaking outside the exam room, he said,
“It went well, it didn’t go easy,”
adding,
“I tried to do my best and now wait for the result.”
The driver prioritized completing his school year despite the intense energy required for racing and travel.
At the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix, Antonelli shared how he manages studying while on the road:
“Well, I’m not able to attend school, but I’m trying to study as much as I can, especially in those little moments I have free.”
He also acknowledged the support from his school, saying,
“I’m getting help from the school as well to try and catch up because I’ve definitely missed a lot of work during this time.”
Support from School and Classmates Fuels Antonelli’s Success
Alessandra Regina, the coordinator of Antonelli’s class at the Salvemini di Casalecchio di Reno Technical Institute near Bologna, praised his dedication to education despite his sports schedule. She told the ANSA news agency,
“While Kimi Antonelli has always had lots of sporting commitments, he never lost sight of school and he never lost sight of the goal of taking his final exams.”
Regina added,
“We are very happy and proud that Kimi is taking his final exams with his classmates,”
and described him as “a very humble boy” who receives great support from his peers. She explained his effort during busy periods:
“When he was travelling for Grands Prix he would call me or write to ask me questions, or he would come straight from the airport to class to have things explained to him again and then he would do the tests. He deserves to take his final exams and pass with flying colours.”
Maintaining Balance Between Racing and Studies
Antonelli also emphasized the importance of energy management during his racing weekends. He acknowledged that balancing schoolwork with training is tiring but necessary:
“But it’s not easy, because that also takes energy and effort. Especially ahead of such an important weekend, it’s really important to manage that side, not to do too much in order to save energy.”
He continued,
“But yeah, whenever I’m home or have a bit of time off, I try to do a little bit just to keep active and catch up as much as possible.”
This approach highlights his determination to succeed both on the track and academically.
Implications for Antonelli’s Future Career
Kimi Antonelli’s ability to graduate high school while launching his Formula 1 career reflects strong discipline and commitment. Balancing the pressure of elite sport with academic achievement is uncommon for athletes at this level, marking him as a focused and well-rounded individual. This foundation may support his ongoing development in Formula 1 as he continues to compete alongside his teammate George Russell at the Brackley-based Mercedes team.
