Despite an impressive start to his Formula 1 career, 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli is legally barred from driving the 577-horsepower Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S gifted to him by his team.
Rookie in the Spotlight
In one of the most talked-about transitions of the current Formula 1 season, Kimi Antonelli stepped into the Mercedes seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton following the seven-time World Champion's high-profile move to Ferrari. Although just 18 years old and in his debut season, Antonelli has scored points in each of the three races so far, outperforming expectations and demonstrating a level of consistency rarely seen from a newcomer. His results have placed him fifth in the Drivers' Championship standings—just behind teammate George Russell.
A Fast Gift, But No Keys
Ahead of the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, Mercedes recognized Antonelli’s strong performances by gifting him a Mercedes-AMG GT 63 S 4MATIC+ Coupe. With 577 horsepower per ton, the high-performance vehicle would be a fitting reward for someone making history on the track—Antonelli recently became the youngest driver ever to lead a Formula 1 Grand Prix. However, there's one catch: he won’t be able to legally drive it for another three years.
Italian Law vs. Horsepower
The restriction isn’t due to team policy or insurance—it’s the result of recent changes to Italian driving law. Effective since December 14, 2024, the regulation prohibits new drivers under the age of 21 from operating cars that exceed 100 horsepower per ton for the first three years after passing their driving test. Antonelli only received his license in January, meaning the law bars him from driving the GT 63 S on public roads until 2028. The AMG’s power output is nearly six times over the legal threshold for new drivers.
High-Speed Irony
The situation presents a strange contradiction: a young man who routinely pilots a Formula 1 car at over 300 km/h is simultaneously prohibited from legally operating a road car more powerful than a small hatchback in his home country. As Autosport put it, the irony is striking—Antonelli may very well win a Grand Prix, or even contend for a world title, before he’s legally allowed to take his road car for a spin. In the meantime, his AMG GT 63 S will remain parked, waiting for a driver whose only restriction lies outside the racetrack.
No Way Around the Law
Though the regulation may seem excessive in this case, Italian lawmakers have stood by the change, which was designed to reduce road accidents involving inexperienced drivers and powerful vehicles. With that said, Antonelli may be able to take advantage of a "loophole" of sorts to drive the car, and that's the fact that he's technically not an Italian driver. Rather, he's registered in San Marino, which is an independent landlocked state within the borders of Italy. And the aforementioned law isn't applicable there.
For now, Antonelli will have to settle for unleashing his speed solely on the circuit, where, fortunately, the rules are far more lenient.
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