The Seat: Netflix goes behind the scenes of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s meteoric rise at Mercedes F1
On May 5, Netflix will release an exclusive 45-minute documentary tracing the meteoric rise of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the young Italian driver promoted to Mercedes from Lewis Hamilton. Entitled The Seat, the film promises a rare immersion behind the scenes of F1.
At only 18 years old, Andrea Kimi Antonelli is already emerging as one of the most closely watched prospects in motorsport. A champion in the lower formulas, he is competing in his first Formula 2 season in 2024. Coming from the Mercedes junior program, he is now considered a serious contender for a seat in Formula 1.
The documentary The Seat, produced by Netflix in partnership with WhatsApp (official partner of Mercedes-AMG Petronas), follows the behind-the-scenes of its progression and documents how the team manages this potential transition to the elite.
“It’s a dream come true to be a Formula 1 driver with the Mercedes team,” Antonelli declares in the official trailer of the film. The young driver is seen during test sessions, particularly on the Monza circuit, as well as in interactions with the team’s management.
In the Intimacy of Decisions
One of the great strengths of the documentary lies in its unprecedented access to behind the scenes. Notably, we discover the moment when Toto Wolff, the director of the Mercedes team, talks with Kimi Antonelli about his future within the team.
« Choosing Kimi as the main driver for 2025 was, as shown in the documentary, a major decision », explains Toto Wolff. « WhatsApp played an essential role in this process, allowing discreet and efficient exchanges throughout the development of Kimi. »
Messaging thus appears as a strategic tool in internal discussions, reinforcing its central role in the modern organization of an F1 team.
A pivotal season behind the scenes
Without officially announcing a signing, the documentary shows an intense preparation. It traces private tests, exchanges with engineers, and the challenges of managing a young driver in an ultra-competitive environment.
The film concludes with Antonelli’s first appearance in a Formula 1 paddock, on the sidelines of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, where he was present in his role as an affiliated driver.
Like Drive to Survive, The Seat is part of Netflix’s desire to document the crucial choices and human trajectories that shape the future of the discipline.
