A clip lasting just a few seconds, a self-introduction in German, and one line that hasn’t gone unnoticed. Among the details Kimi Antonelli chooses to share with his followers is where he lives: “Ich lebe in San Marino”, meaning “I live in San Marino.”
The footage, shared widely on social media and reposted by countless users, shows the young Mercedes driver trying out a few simple German phrases. He introduces himself with “Hallo, ich bin Kimi” (“Hi, I’m Kimi”), mentions that he’s 19 (“Ich bin 19”), says he lives in the Republic of San Marino, and wraps up by describing himself as athletic (“Ich bin sportlich”). The tone is relaxed and unscripted, with a few smiles and small language stumbles that only make the video feel more genuine.
For San Marino, it’s a piece of publicity no promotional campaign could buy. The Republic’s name appears in content set to reach millions of motorsport and Formula 1 fans across the globe, thanks to the rising fame of one of the sport’s most promising young talents.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, born in 2006 in Bologna, is regarded as one of the brightest prospects in international motorsport. After dominating the junior categories, he stepped up to Formula 1 with Mercedes, the team with which he’s currently competing in his rookie season at the sport’s top level. His performances have already marked him out as one of the future faces of the championship.
