Andrea Kimi Antonelli — the young Mercedes prodigy already turning heads in Formula 2 — has revealed his dream of having a one-on-one conversation with his childhood idol, the legendary “Iceman” himself, Kimi Räikkönen. In a recent interview, the 18-year-old rising star opened up about the influence Räikkönen had on his career and how he hopes to learn from the Finnish champion’s cool-headed approach to Formula 1.
“Kimi was always the reason I believed in being calm under pressure,” Antonelli said. “He never talked too much, but when he did, it mattered. I’d love to have a real ‘Kimi to Kimi’ talk someday — about racing, mindset, and what it takes to stay true to yourself in this sport.”
Antonelli, who shares not only a name but also a strikingly composed demeanor with Räikkönen, is often referred to by fans as “the new Iceman.” Despite his young age, he has already drawn comparisons to the 2007 World Champion for his stoic presence in the paddock and razor-sharp focus on the track.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has repeatedly praised Antonelli’s maturity, suggesting that the Italian teen embodies “the spirit of Kimi with the focus of a new-generation driver.” The label doesn’t seem to bother Antonelli, who instead embraces it with quiet pride.
“Being compared to him is an honor, but I want to be my own version of Kimi — maybe a little warmer,” he joked. “Still, the way he handled fame and pressure… that’s something I deeply respect.”
Meanwhile, Räikkönen, now retired and enjoying a quieter life with his family, has remained largely out of the F1 spotlight — but he continues to be revered by fans and drivers alike. Sources close to Antonelli say that Mercedes is planning to invite Räikkönen to an upcoming Grand Prix as a special guest, a moment that could mark the symbolic “passing of the torch” between two generations of Ice Men.
If the two ever meet, it could become one of the most memorable cross-generational encounters in modern Formula 1 — a conversation not full of words, perhaps, but of shared understanding between two drivers who let their driving do the talking.
As Antonelli put it:
“You don’t need to speak much to understand greatness. Sometimes silence says it all — and that’s pure Kimi.”
