Andrea Kimi Antonelli has two stylists, only one of which works for Mercedes

The 2025 F1 season is edging nearer and already F1 events are happening. Which signifies that considered one of Mercedes’ newest hires, its fashion manager, has been busy at work maintaining the staff’s two drivers, George Russell and Andrea Kimi Antonelli, trying good. “She [the stylist] doesn’t choose my outfit day by day, however she sends me some concepts,” Antonelli stated. 

“Really, my mum can be my stylist,” the F1 rookie admits. “More often than not she doesn’t like the mixture I put on — she’s at all times fixing my garments. Typically once we’re about to exit for dinner with my household she says, ‘Oh no, that you must go change.’ So she’s my correct stylist.” Antonelli and his mom are even redesigning his wardrobe to accommodate a cargo of the staff’s new Adidas-made gear — a half-dozen overflowing boxes-worth, which just lately arrived at his doorstep.

Russell and Antonelli are embracing the rising function that style performs within the sport — taking up a torch proudly carried by Lewis Hamilton. “Vogue wasn’t a giant a part of my life,” Russell confessed once I spoke to him on the Mercedes-AMG F1 x Adidas collection launch earlier this month. “It was solely over the previous few years that I noticed the optimistic impression it has on you in case you’re carrying garments you are feeling assured in, that make you are feeling higher and stand a bit taller.”

That put a little bit strain on Adidas to nail the gathering, some 150-pieces sturdy and produced, from design to doorstep, in solely eight months. (Take into account {that a} model like Adidas typically works a 12 months or extra forward.)

“Our model has a superb historical past and nice data round trendy objects. We’re asking how we will bridge that into F1 and mix the game with the streetwear issue and the tradition borne out that,” stated Michael Batz, Vice President of Attire at Adidas. “Normally in F1 it is a cap and a driver tee, however we additionally need to create fascinating kinds which are iconic, like paddock jackets.”

The gathering additionally made information for having extra than simply the same old fan gear. Adidas hung out in Mercedes’ Brackley manufacturing unit or on the street, observing the wants of everybody on the staff, from the pit crew to the hospitality staff. 

“For instance, we appeared on the mechanics and the place they put all of their radios,” stated Batz. “We requested, ‘Can we make issues higher once they dismantle the automotive mendacity on the ground?’ Then we observed they’ve sponsors on the again [of their shirts] they usually’re doubtlessly rubbing on the ground,” he went on. “These are belongings you solely discover out while you intently monitor, hearken to and get suggestions from the staff, which then [informs] the ultimate product.”

Because of this, for the primary time ever, staff members will put on clothes formulated particularly for his or her function: mechanics will don shirts with sweat-wicking know-how whereas advertising staffers will stride via the paddock in sneakers designed to endure the 30,000-step marathon that’s race day. The uniform may even evolve all through the season to include daring new hues and progressive materials, accompanied by limited-edition drops for followers who need to costume the half.

George Russell is all smiles in his new staff polo

I requested Batz if Adidas would ever contemplate launching a signature shoe named after George Russell or Kimi Antonelli, the best way LeBron James or Lionel Messi have had for therefore lengthy. In any case, race boot-inspired kicks are extra fashionable now than they’ve been in many years. 

“It is positively a chance we see in so many different sports activities with lots of fan dedication and fan engagement,” he stated, noting the staff hasn’t dominated something out as they proceed innovating. “It’s a chance to look into.”

Relying on how his subsequent few seasons go, possibly Antonelli’s mother might be dressing him in signature “Kimi” Sambas quickly sufficient.