In brief
In an unexpected twist, F1 driver Kimi Antonelli attended a go-karting event in Milton Keynes incognito, registering under the name 'Henry Shovlin'. Despite setting the quickest lap time during the race, Antonelli received penalties preventing him from reaching the podium. Initially unrecognized by other participants due to his helmet, he was later overwhelmed by fans seeking photos once revealed.
Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old Italian Formula 1 driver for Mercedes, recently surprised local go-kart enthusiasts by appearing incognito at a packed racing session in Milton Keynes. Taking on the alias 'Henry Shovlin', Antonelli managed to blend in with the crowd but still made a significant impression.
Attending the Daytona Milton Keynes event on Saturday, Antonelli set the fastest lap of the session during the main race. However, he did not secure a victory, facing two penalties for 'pushing too hard' and ultimately finishing outside the podium spots. Daniel Prince from Daytona noted that despite his prowess on the track, Antonelli was not recognized by anyone until the end of the race.
After the race, Antonelli removed his helmet, prompting a flurry of recognition among his fellow racers. This led to a mob of fans eager for photographs, forcing a member of staff to step in and guide him to a safer spot behind a desk for a quick photo op by the celebrity leaderboard, before he made his escape.
Prince commented on the experience, saying, 'He did the usual briefing and raced with everyone else, with no one having a clue who he was until he took off his helmet. He got the fastest lap time by at least three seconds, which is impressive.' Daytona Milton Keynes has previously hosted other F1 drivers, given its proximity to the Silverstone circuit.
