Kimi Antonelli, an 18-year-old Formula 1 rookie, is the focus of a new documentary titled 'The Seat', which explores his promotion to the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, replacing legendary driver Lewis Hamilton. This significant driver transition, facilitated by WhatsApp, marks Antonelli as the third-youngest rookie in F1 history. Having progressed through the ranks from karting to Formula 2, Antonelli's current performance in the 2025 season is impressive, securing 38 points in the first five races and placing him sixth in the drivers' championship. 'The Seat' offers insights into the private communications and decisions behind his promotion, and it will be available for streaming on Netflix starting May 5th. Fans can also watch Antonelli compete in the upcoming Miami Grand Prix on May 4th, as he continues to prove his potential in the racing world.

Kimi Antonelli, promoted from Formula 2 to F1, fills the spot of Lewis Hamilton at the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, making this one of the biggest driver changes in F1 history.

The documentary 'The Seat', sponsored by WhatsApp, highlights the decision-making process and private communications that led to Antonelli's promotion as a Formula 1 driver.

Antonelli, part of the Mercedes Junior Team since 2019, has advanced through various racing categories, culminating in a sixth-place finish in Formula 2 in 2024.

In the current 2025 season, Antonelli has been performing exceptionally well, securing 38 points in the first five races, placing him sixth in the drivers' championship standings.

'The Seat' will be exclusively available on Netflix from May 5th, offering an in-depth look at Antonelli's journey and the strategic decisions within the Mercedes team.

Antonelli's promotion makes him the third-youngest rookie in Formula 1 history, showcasing his rapid rise through the racing ranks.

Fans can catch Antonelli in action during the Miami Grand Prix on May 4th, as he continues to demonstrate his skills and potential in the highly competitive F1 arena.

Formula 1 rookie Kimi Antonelli is taking center stage in the upcoming documentary The Seat!

The 18-year-old Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team driver was promoted from Formula 2 after last year’s season, with big shoes to fill – replacing seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton.

Kimi filled the vacant spot alongside George Russell at the team, after Lewis went to Ferrari.

Now, the move, hailed as one of the biggest driver changes in history, is being documented in an upcoming doc, brought by one of the team’s sponsors WhatsApp.

Keep reading to find out more…

The Seat “showcases the once-in-a-generation decision to promote Kimi Antonelli to a Formula 1 Driver, making him the third-youngest rookie in the sport’s history. Witness the private WhatsApp calls and chats that led to the shocking shift within Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.”

Kimi first joined Mercedes as a part of their Junior Team in 2019, and moved up the ranks in racing, from karting to Formula 4, Formula 3 and then Formula 2 in 2024, where he finished in sixth place.

The young driver is currently on a one-year contract, but he’s been driving very well in 2025 so far, picking up 38 points for the team in the first five races, which could very well lead to him getting a renewal. He is in sixth in the drivers championship at the time of this post.

The Seat will be available to stream on May 5th, only on Netflix!

You can watch Kimi race in Formula 1 THIS coming weekend, with the Miami Grand Prix taking place on Sunday (May 4).