Netflix’s ‘The Seat’ brings Formula 1 fans closer to Kimi Antonelli’s breakthrough at Mercedes
For Formula 1 fans, 2025 is already shaping up as a year of change. With Lewis Hamilton leaving Mercedes for Ferrari, the team needed a new leader behind the wheel. Now, Kimi Antonelli is in the spotlight — and Netflix’s documentary ‘The Seat’ puts that transition under a microscope for everyone to see.
Kimi Antonelli’s rapid ascent and Mercedes’ bold decision under scrutiny
‘The Seat’ tracks the process that led Mercedes to pick 18-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. Rather than bringing in a veteran like Carlos Sainz or Fernando Alonso, team boss Toto Wolff chose to promote Antonelli straight into an F1 team with huge expectations. The film captures how Mercedes faced one of its biggest decisions since bringing Hamilton to the team over a decade ago.
According to Toto Wolff, the team saw something special in Antonelli. The team’s internal communications, including WhatsApp exchanges, let fans see how the decision unfolded in real time. The documentary avoids glamorizing the choice and instead shows the stress and risk—for Mercedes, for Antonelli, and for the sport.
Inside Mercedes’ decision: The team’s search for a successor to Hamilton
Mercedes’ move to hand Antonelli an F1 seat shocked the racing world. After Hamilton’s early announcement that he would join Ferrari, speculation linked Mercedes to several established drivers. The film shows the list of candidates Mercedes considered. Yet, Wolff repeatedly said he wanted to bet on youth and raw talent.
The documentary doesn’t pretend the choice was clear-cut. It shows how the team weighed experience against the chance to build for the long-term. When Wolff tells Antonelli he’s the next Mercedes driver, viewers see not just relief and excitement but also the pressure the teenager is about to face.
Kimi Antonelli’s mentality and first races with Mercedes
Antonelli enters Mercedes as the youngest lead driver in team history. But ‘The Seat’ highlights that he doesn’t want to dwell on replacing a legend. In his own words: “He has done so much in the sport. I just feel like the next Mercedes driver, and I really want to make my own story.”
The documentary follows Antonelli’s first F1 races, showing how he approaches every challenge with steady focus. By the sixth round of the 2025 season, Antonelli has already finished in the top ten four times, with his best result being fourth at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. He currently sits sixth in the championship, just behind his more experienced teammate George Russell. The film uses these milestones to show he’s not just filling a seat — he‘s shaping his own era for Mercedes.
Pressure and expectations: Juggling school and the world stage
‘The Seat’ also reminds viewers just how young Antonelli is. He’s still attending school while managing the demands of a Formula 1 career. The documentary spends time with Antonelli as he keeps up with homework between races. It’s a clear sign of how much faith Mercedes has placed in him and the personal sacrifices needed to succeed at the top level.
Toto Wolff and the Mercedes team help guide Antonelli through the transition. The film shows their support while highlighting the expectations that come with the Silver Arrows badge. Antonelli doesn’t shy away from the responsibilities, but he knows every mistake is magnified with the world watching.
What ‘The Seat’ means for fans and the next generation of drivers
Netflix’s partnership with Mercedes for ‘The Seat’ gives viewers a rare look into the personal and professional tension that comes with filling Hamilton’s shoes. Race footage, team meetings, and off-track moments paint a complete picture of Antonelli’s rookie season. For longtime fans, it’s a chance to see how a major team navigates change.
For younger fans and aspiring drivers, Antonelli’s story serves as proof that the path to F1 is more open than ever — if you have the talent and determination.
What lies ahead for Kimi Antonelli at Mercedes
After six race weekends, Antonelli’s results look solid. His driving style already draws attention for its confidence and adaptability. The film closes by raising the real question for Formula 1’s new era: Can Kimi Antonelli not just succeed, but create a legacy of his own at Mercedes?
As the season continues, and as ‘The Seat’ brings the high-stakes world of F1 into millions of living rooms, all eyes are on the Italian teenager as he tries to deliver on a very public promise. For Mercedes and Antonelli, the race is only just beginning.