Kimi Antonelli had some familiar support around him ahead of practice at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix. His father, Marco Antonelli, was spotted helping the Mercedes driver get ready for his session at the Baku City Circuit. The moment highlighted the close bond between the young Formula 1 star and his father.Marco has been a constant presence throughout Kimi’s motorsport journey. A former racing driver and experienced team boss, he introduced his son to the world of racing at a young age. He has also remained one of Kimi’s biggest sources of guidance as the Italian continues his Formula 1 career.
Who is Kimi Antonelli’s father Marco Antonelli?
Marco Antonelli was seen giving his son a helping hand as Kimi Antonelliprepared for practice in Baku. The simple paddock moment showed that even at the highest level of motorsport, Kimi continues to have his father close by.Marco has played an important role in Kimi’s development as a driver. Kimi started racing competitively at a very young age. His father’s experience in motorsport helped him understand the demands of racing from the beginning.Kimi has frequently described his father as his “rock.” Marco has supported him through the different stages of his career. He has also provided feedback after sessions and remained involved in Kimi’s development since his karting days.The relationship goes beyond that of a father and son. Marco has also been a mentor to Kimi. His own experience behind the wheel has given him an understanding of the pressure that comes with competitive racing.Marco was born on July 18, 1964, in Bologna, Italy. He began his own racing career in the early 1990s. He competed in the Italian Superturismo Championship between 1992 and 1996.His racing career included appearances in championships and events such as the International GT Open, Lamborghini Super Trofeo, Blancpain GT Series and GT World Challenge Europe.Marco also moved into team management. He owns and serves as team principal of AKM Motorsport, a racing outfit based in San Marino. The team has competed in the Italian F4 Championship and different GT categories.That environment played an important role in Kimi’s early development. His father’s team gave him an opportunity to experience competitive motorsport from a young age.Marco also helped introduce Kimi to the wider racing world. His connections and experience exposed the youngster to professional motorsport and even brought him into the Formula 1 paddock when he was still very young.Kimi has since followed his own path to the top. He joined Mercedes for his Formula 1 debut in 2025 and continued with the team into the 2026 season.As Kimi faces the pressure of competing at the front of Formula 1, Marco remains a familiar face in the paddock. His presence in Azerbaijan once again showed the role he continues to play in his son’s career.While Kimi is now an established F1 driver, the support from his father remains an important part of his journey.