Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli Joins Olympic Torch Relay Ahead of Barcelona Test

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes’ 19‑year‑old rookie who finished seventh in the 2025 championship, joined the 48th Olympic Torch Relay before heading to Barcelona for private testing ahead of the 2026 F1 season.

Why it matters:

Antonelli is a top‑tier prospect, and Mercedes is building a multi‑year plan around him. Toto Wolff says the driver won’t peak until three to five years out, underscoring the patience required to develop a future champion.

The details:

• Torch relay route: From Gorizia through rain‑soaked Gradisca d'Isonzo and Sagrado, pausing at Redipuglia War Memorial before ending in Udine via Palmanova and Cividale del Friuli.
• Fellow athletes: Antonelli ran with gymnast Tara Dragas, basketballer Michele Antonutti, ex‑footballer Luigi De Agostini, fencer Mara Navarria, footballer Alessia Tuttino, skier Venanzio Ortis and volleyball star Rachele Sangiuliano.
• Testing programme: In Barcelona, Antonelli will share the car with teammate George Russell while Mercedes fine‑tunes the new power‑unit and aero package for 2026.
• Team outlook: Wolff said on Beyond the Grid that Antonelli “knows a lot about the sport,” yet must still mature mentally and cope with F1 pressure.

What's next:

The 2026 calendar kicks off with a double‑header, the Australian Grand Prix (6‑8 March) followed by the Chinese Grand Prix. Mercedes will use the Barcelona shakedown to gauge Antonelli’s progress and lock‑in development directions before the season‑opening sprint weekend.