By Molly Sharp. Sub-edited by Daniel Casallas Beltrán.
Lewis Hamilton’s shocking move to Scuderia Ferrari sent the sporting world into a frenzy, with everyone asking the same question: Who would rise to succeed him?
A Netflix documentary was released on May 5th, 2025, chronicling Andrea “Kimi” Antonelli’s journey to fill the shoes of one of the world’s greatest athletes. The documentary grants viewers a rare insight into behind-the-scenes moments, internal communications and intricate details about the highs and lows of pursuing one of the sport’s most coveted seats.
The film feels intimate and confidential, giving access to both Antonelli and Mercedes on a personal level. Private team messages and emotional footage of the Antonelli family in their household are woven into the cinematic nature within the film’s storytelling through an immersive lens. Through his struggles, viewers witness Antonelli’s determination to fulfil expectation, navigating pressure from his father, his legacy and his desire to become the latest hometown hero. The high-stake, dramatic filming juxtaposed with Antonelli’s playful and childlike glimpses, only further strengthens the audience’s investment in his success.
Embed from Getty ImagesNarration is shared between Team Principle Toto Wolff and Antonelli, and follows the chronological sequence leading up to his Formula One debut, punctuated by flashbacks of both Kimi’s and his father’s archival footage. We see Antonelli’s journey from being scouted by Mercedes at just twelve years old, to his first Free Practice in front of his nation at Monza. Despite crashing out just a lap and a half into his session, it became a pivotal moment in establishing his place as Mercedes driver.
The latter half of the documentary oscillates to a more inspirational tone, where a multi-media montage and the incorporation of graphics highlights and emphasises Antonelli’s resilience and growth. Footage from Hamilton’s prime is utilised alongside a statistical comparison between himself and Antonelli, emphasizing that despite external turmoil, Mercedes have effectively reinstated their legacy.
From a journalistic perspective, “The Seat” succeeds as an intimate, inspirational piece that thrives off the benefits of internal access and exclusivity. Despite Antonellis promotion being a heavily critiqued decision in the media, this documentary brings to light Kimi’s hard-fought journey through emotional transformation and compelling exploration of perseverance through youth. It illustrates to me the importance of humanity and emotional depth in production and highlights the significance of empathy and its ability to connect audiences to athletic achievement on a personalized level.