Just in: Mercedes Star Kimi Antonelli Hit With Shock Lawsuit Ahead of F1 Su…read more👇

Just in: Mercedes Star Kimi Antonelli Hit With Shock Lawsuit Ahead of F1 Su…read more

Mercedes Formula 1 sensation Kimi Antonelli has been thrust into unexpected off-track controversy after reports emerged that the championship leader is being sued by his former manager just days before the sport’s annual summer shutdown. According to Italian publication Corriere dello Sport, Giovanni Minardi has filed a civil lawsuit against the 19-year-old Mercedes driver in a Bologna court. The legal action reportedly seeks unpaid compensation and damages linked to Minardi’s resignation as Antonelli’s manager, with claims dating back to the period before the Italian made his Formula 1 debut in 2025. The case carries added significance because Giovanni Minardi is the son of Gian Carlo Minardi, founder of the legendary Minardi Formula 1 team. The Faenza-based outfit competed in F1 for more than two decades before being sold to Red Bull in 2005, eventually evolving into the Racing Bulls team that competes on today’s grid. Minardi played an important role in Antonelli’s early racing career, helping guide the youngster through the karting ranks and reportedly recommending him for Ferrari’s junior programme before Mercedes secured his signature in 2018. Antonelli joined the Mercedes Junior Programme at just 12 years old and later came under the management of team principal Toto Wolff. The dispute is understood to involve a six-figure sum, with reports suggesting the disagreement intensified during 2025 despite the pair having ended their professional relationship years earlier. The legal proceedings could also see Wolff summoned to testify if the case progresses to future hearings. Antonelli’s representatives have not publicly commented on the allegations. However, Corriere dello Sport reports there is a “sense of calm” within the Mercedes camp, with those close to the young driver confident that they have acted within the law. No settlement is believed to be close, meaning the legal battle could continue even as Formula 1 enters its summer break. While Antonelli remains focused on his title challenge, the lawsuit has added an unexpected chapter to what has otherwise been a remarkable breakthrough season for the Mercedes star.