[Kimi Antonelli’s First Formula 1 Race Weekend: A Journey to Melbourne]

As the digital clock ticks down to his first race-weekend track session as a fully-fledged Formula 1 driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli checks his smartphone. The schedule, meticulously planned by Mercedes, outlines a busy day ahead in Melbourne.

[A Media Blitz and Team Meetings]

The morning begins with a media session alongside team-mate George Russell, reserve driver Valtteri Bottas, and team boss Toto Wolff at a seaside venue in St. Kilda. Antonelli, wearing the team gear chosen for race weekends in 2025, is eager to make a good impression.

The questions from the media inevitably revolve around his predecessor – Lewis Hamilton. However, Antonelli remains focused on writing his own story and following his unique path.

[Business and Marketing Obligations]

The rest of the day is a whirlwind of business, both sporting and marketing. Antonelli undergoes the mandatory FIA weigh-in, poses for an official photo with all drivers on the grid, attends his first official FIA press conference, participates in a social media session for the team, holds an autograph session with fans, meets Australian football players, and has another briefing with engineers under his race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington.

[Family Time and Pre-Race Routine]

Despite the hectic schedule, Antonelli eagerly awaits his family’s arrival in Melbourne on Thursday – his father Marco, mother Veronica, and younger sister Maggie. They’re staying in a different hotel, but each morning, Kimi picks them up himself after passing his driving test just six weeks ago.

[Preparation for the Race]

Friday starts early for Antonelli with a workout session at 8am with performance coach Sergi Avila. The focus is on mobility exercises, quick activation, visual exercises, and assessing sleep quality. Avila uses a ‘smart ring’ to track Antonelli’s physical activity and health metrics, ensuring he gets adequate rest.

Every aspect of Antonelli’s journey from Italy to Melbourne was carefully planned, including a one-day stopover in Kuala Lumpur to help him adjust to the time zone progressively. Nutrition is another crucial factor in driver health and performance, but Antonelli’s family prioritizes healthy eating, making it easier for him to maintain optimal health.

[Fan Interactions and On-Track Debrief]

Upon arriving at the track, Antonelli discovers a unique feature of Melbourne – drivers are allowed to drive on the internal roads of Albert Park, and must walk down ‘Melbourne Walk’, a pathway that has become a prime attraction for fans. The day ends with a debriefing with engineers under Peter Bonnington to discuss the weekend ahead.

[Reflections and Looking Ahead]

After the race, Antonelli reflects on his debut weekend and looks forward to the next challenge. He is grateful for the support of his family, team, and fans, and is determined to continue improving and writing his own story in Formula 1. The Antonellis enjoy a brief vacation in Australia before departing for Shanghai, where Kimi will continue his journey in the world of motorsports.