Formula 1 rising star Kimi Antonelli has had a terrifying close call — escaping unscathed from a dramatic single-vehicle crash near his home in San Marino that left his brand-new, ultra-rare Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic Collectors Edition in ruins.

The 19-year-old Italian prodigy, who’s set to make his full-time F1 debut with Mercedes in the 2026 season, was involved in the high-speed incident on the San Marino Autostrada in Serravalle late Saturday night, February 7, 2026 — just five days after receiving the £180,000 (around $230,000) limited-edition beast as a company car.

Mercifully, no other vehicles were involved, and Antonelli emerged completely unhurt — walking away from the wreckage to call the police himself. Mercedes issued a swift statement confirming the scare: “Last Saturday evening, near his home in San Marino, Kimi was involved in a road accident. The police attended the scene after being called by Kimi. His was the only car involved and, although the vehicle sustained damage, Kimi was completely unharmed.”

Local reports from San Marino TV and Italian outlet Gazzetta dello Sport paint a vivid picture of the chaos. The crash began when Antonelli’s Mercedes clipped a traffic signpost on the right side of the highway, sending the car spinning across lanes. It then slammed into the central guardrail not once, but twice, before careening into a retaining wall on the opposite side. Photos circulating on social media show the once-pristine black supercar mangled beyond recognition — front end crumpled, side panels torn, and debris scattered across the tarmac.

“It’s a shame about the great car, but in the end it’s just a car, even if it’s the best AMG,” one fan commented on Instagram, echoing the relief felt across the F1 community. Video clips shared by car enthusiast accounts reveal the extent of the damage: twisted metal, shattered glass, and airbags deployed — clear signs of a violent impact at what authorities suspect was high speed.

The timing couldn’t be worse — or more dramatic. Antonelli is days away from heading to Bahrain for crucial pre-season testing, where he’ll get his first official taste of the all-new 2026 Mercedes challenger alongside teammate George Russell. The rookie, who impressed in 2025 FP1 sessions and private tests, was already under the microscope as F1’s hottest young talent. Now, this off-track scare adds another layer of intrigue ahead of what promises to be a blockbuster season.

Antonelli’s rapid rise has been meteoric. Born in Bologna but raised partly in San Marino (where he resides), the teenager burst onto the scene winning the Italian F4 title in 2022, dominating FRECA in 2023, and claiming the F2 crown in his rookie 2025 season — all while testing with Mercedes. His promotion to full-time race seat replaced Lewis Hamilton, who defected to Ferrari, making Antonelli the youngest full-time driver on the grid and a symbol of Mercedes’ bold youth strategy.

But the crash has sparked concern among fans and pundits alike. Social media erupted with relief mixed with worry: “Glad he’s okay, but what a way to start your F1 year!” one X user posted. “That car was brand new — poor kid, imagine the insurance headache.” Reddit threads on r/formula1 dissected the wreckage photos, with users noting the multiple impacts suggested loss of control — perhaps from aquaplaning, mechanical issue, or driver error. Authorities are investigating, but no charges or further details have emerged.

Mercedes moved quickly to downplay any fitness concerns. “Kimi is fine and fully focused on testing,” a team spokesperson told outlets. Russell, the veteran teammate, sent a supportive message on Instagram: “See you in the desert, mate. Stay safe.” The incident hasn’t derailed preparations — Antonelli is expected to fly out as planned for the three-day test starting February 12.

The wrecked Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Pro 4Matic Collectors Edition — one of just a handful produced, boasting 577hp twin-turbo V8, all-wheel drive, and exclusive carbon-fiber accents — was reportedly a perk from his new contract. “It’s devastating to see it like that after only five days,” one insider told Gazzetta. But as Antonelli himself might say (he’s yet to comment publicly), priorities are clear: health first, then racing.

This isn’t the first scare for a young F1 driver. Max Verstappen had karting crashes, Charles Leclerc survived a frightening FP1 spin — but Antonelli’s comes at a pivotal moment. With 2026 regs promising closer racing, lighter cars, and sustainable fuels, every test lap counts. Mercedes needs their rookie sharp, not shaken.

Fans have rallied online with prayers and memes: “Kimi vs. guardrail — round one to the wall, but Kimi wins on points!” Others praised modern car safety: “Airbags and structure saved him — thank God for engineering.”

As the F1 circus heads to Bahrain, all eyes will be on Antonelli’s first laps in anger. The crash? A frightening footnote — but one that reminds everyone: even superstars aren’t invincible off the track.

Thankfully, Kimi Antonelli is walking, talking, and ready to race. The real action starts now.