The rising F1 star hopes that Anthony Edwards will attend a Grand Prix.
As adidas embarks on a brand new journey as an official associate of the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Method 1 Crew, rookie driver Kimi Antonelli is embracing the collaboration and the thrilling alternatives it brings.
For Antonelli, the adidas partnership is not only in regards to the gear – it’s an indication of a brand new period at Mercedes as Antonelli formally makes his F1 debut.
“It’s an ideal partnership,” mentioned Antonelli. “I feel it’s going to be a revolution as a result of adidas is combining all of the expertise that they’ve with all of the totally different sports activities. They’re bringing some unbelievable merchandise to the world of motorsport, and pushing exhausting so as to present for the drivers, but in addition the staff with the most effective product doable.”
Lengthy earlier than he was behind the wheel of an F1 automobile, Antonelli spent his childhood enjoying soccer — a connection that makes the adidas partnership much more particular.
“It’s true that once I was [young], I performed soccer, however then, in fact, I appreciated motorsport extra,” Antonelli recalled. “adidas is de facto large in soccer. They’ve received so many stars.”
With footballers like Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham on the checklist, adidas’ roster is stacked, and Antonelli is thrilled to be in good firm.
“If I can, I’ll steal some soccer footwear,” joked Antonelli. Regardless of the high-pressure season forward of him, the 18-year-old maintains his teenage attraction and feels that this partnership is a full-circle second given his historical past with soccer and F1.
Coaching With adidas
Because the rookie prepares for his debut F1 season, Antonelli visited the adidas headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, to coach with the sportswear model’s high-level tools.
“Earlier this yr, I spent three days on the adidas headquarters to do some bodily testing on the lab and likewise attempt new merchandise forward of this yr,” mentioned Antonelli. “It was wonderful. The work that these guys are placing behind adidas is unbelievable. And we’re simply getting began, so it will probably solely get higher.”
With entry to new expertise and a cutting-edge lab, Antonelli is already seeing the advantages of the adidas x Mercedes partnership. The motive force can also be very enthusiastic about all the brand new sneaker choices.
“Off the monitor, with the ability to prepare with the precise stuff is vital,” mentioned Antonelli. “Throughout my first go to to adidas HQ, they gave me a pair of footwear for each type of coaching, which suggests we’re in a position to prepare higher – it’s nice.”
The adidas Motorsport x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS launch gives a variety of footwear for each step of the athletic course of. There are coaching fashions just like the adidas Ultraboost 5, Supernova Rise, or Lightblaze, in addition to restoration and life-style choices just like the Adilette Consolation Slide and the Adidas SL 72 RS.
The debut footwear assortment additionally highlights two racing-inspired sneakers, the adidas Feroza and the adi Racer. The Feroza is a brand-new sneaker made for the launch of adidas Motorsport, whereas the adi Racer is a revived archive silhouette that was first launched within the early 2000s.
Kimi Antonelli Needs Anthony Edwards to Come to an F1 Grand Prix
Though Antonelli was a giant soccer fan rising up, he has piqued a brand new curiosity within the NBA, and certainly one of his favourite basketball gamers simply so occurs to be one other adidas athlete – Anthony Edwards.
“I actually want to meet Anthony Edwards,” Antonelli shared. “Hopefully this yr we will arrange a race. He’s an adidas athlete as properly, so it could be cool to arrange and have him at a Grand Prix.”
Antonelli can also be a fan of LeBron James and Victor Wembanyama however felt additional related to Anthony Edwards due to their shared love of gaming, which Antonelli found by the Netflix collection, “Beginning 5.”
“Anthony Edwards appears to be like like a superb man,” mentioned Antonelli. “Additionally, he’s a man who likes enjoying video video games. I may see myself enjoying video video games with him. I prefer to play video games once I’m house. I both play on my [F1 simulator] or console.”
The F1 rookie admitted that he hasn’t but had the possibility to placed on a pair of the adidas AE 1s however is wanting ahead to the event.
Getting ready for the Australian Grand Prix and His Rookie Season
Because the anticipation builds for his debut season, Antonelli is preserving a stage head. With the assist of Mercedes and his internal circle, he’s staying centered on the method reasonably than the strain.
“I’ve actually good folks round me,” he defined. “I’ve an ideal household, and I’ve received Mercedes behind me. They’re actually serving to me to remain calm on this second.”
All eyes are undoubtedly going to be on Antonelli and the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS staff because the rookie is changing seven-time F1 World Drivers’ Champion Lewis Hamilton, who now represents Ferrari after being with Crew Mercedes for 12 years.
Driving With George Russell
Antonelli might be competing alongside Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS driver George Russell, who has been with the F1 staff since 2022.
“I’m actually wanting ahead to working with George,” Antonelli mentioned. “He’s a superb driver, and he has proven me how [brilliant] he could be. It’s an ideal alternative as a result of I’ll be taught loads from him.”
Russell has offered Antonelli with priceless insights as he navigates his rookie yr. Antonelli speaks extremely of his new teammate, emphasizing their constructive dynamic and aggressive spirit.
“We’re focusing day-by-day on the method and the preparation,” mentioned Antonelli. “It’s taking away the strain as a result of I’m not anxious about [the Australian Grand Prix] – the beginning of the season. I’m specializing in the method and I feel the method is sweet. It’s actually serving to me. It’s one of the best ways doable to arrange for the primary race.”
The debut adidas Motorsport x Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS assortment is out there now by way of the adidas website.
