Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian racing sensation, narrowly escaped a car crash near his home in San Marino on Saturday evening. Despite the incident, Antonelli's participation in the opening Bahrain F1 test this week remains unaffected. The crash, involving a rare Mercedes AMG GT 63 PRO4MATIC+ 'Motorsport Collectors Edition' car, did not result in any injuries. The police were called to the scene, and it was confirmed that Antonelli was the sole occupant of the vehicle, with only his car sustaining damage. This incident will not hinder his performance in the upcoming pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, scheduled for February 11-13. Mercedes has announced that Antonelli will be driving the W17 in the afternoon of the opening day, alternating with his teammate George Russell. The team's spokesperson assured that the accident will not impact his involvement in the test. Following the initial test, a second three-day test is set for February 18-20 in Bahrain, leading up to the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8. Antonelli's impressive rookie season in F1 saw him finish seventh in the drivers' championship, just six points behind the legendary Lewis Hamilton. His achievements include three podium finishes and a pole position for the Miami sprint race, showcasing his talent and potential in the sport.
