F1 confirms fans' suspicions as behind-the-scenes Kimi Antonelli footage is released
F1 has confirmed that Kimi Antonelli was the masked "Spider-Man" figure spotted watching FP1 from the Barcelona grandstands
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images
Formula 1 has released behind-the-scenes footage confirming what eagle-eyed fans had suspected on Friday: that Kimi Antonelli had sneaked into the Barcelona grandstands, hiding behind a Spider-Man mask and a Mercedes hoodie.
While the Italian driver sat out of the first practice session ahead of the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix to allow reserve driver Frederik Vesti an outing, cameras panned to the crowds, showing someone sitting in a Mercedes hoodie and a Spider-Man mask.
As photos of the moment quickly flooded social media, many identified it as an undercover Antonelli. Some likened it to the moment his Mercedes team-mate George Russell wore a traditional lucha libre wrestling mask as he sneaked into the stadium section of the grandstands to watch the on-track action during FP1 at the 2025 Mexico Grand Prix.
Now, F1 has shed light on the moment in a new video. "Hey guys, as you know, I'm not doing FP1 today, but I'm going to be going around the track as Spider-Man," the current championship leader told the camera. "I'm going to check out some cars."
The video showed Antonelli joining fans in the grandstands to watch the on-track action. "Oh my god, did I go on the broadcast or not?" Antonelli asked afterwards.
"That was cheeky. When that came on the broadcast. I thought that the guy looked familiar!" one fan commented, while another added: "That's fun! Keep the good sense of humour!"
Further reactions included: "The mask was small for his face! Mercedes should have brought a bigger one!" and "He's doing sidequests now when he has a good lead."
Antonelli currently leads the drivers' championship by 66 points over seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton in second. Russell follows in third, two points behind Hamilton.
The Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix could mark Antonelli's six consecutive win if he is able to continue his impressive winning streak.
Photos from Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix - Saturday
Share Or Save This Story
Damon Hill reveals the F1 career lesson he wishes he had learned earlier
James Vowles explains how Williams F1 delays could be "one of the best things"
Sergio Perez opens up about mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull
George Russell shares school exam mindset behind his F1 success
Max Verstappen 'absolutely regrets' not signing with Mercedes, says Guenther Steiner
How “stressed” Kimi Antonelli beat his nerves – and Charles Leclerc – in British GP qualifying
Damon Hill reveals the F1 career lesson he wishes he had learned earlier
James Vowles explains how Williams F1 delays could be "one of the best things"
Sergio Perez opens up about mental toll of partnering Max Verstappen at Red Bull
Why less horsepower is actually better for NASCAR at superspeedways
Why F1's future engine rules offer new opportunities but also new pitfalls
Top 10 F1 drivers of the 2010s
Two (and a bit) years on: Red Bull's 2024 political ructions have had the opposite effect
Cars, stars, and the shootout winners from the 2026 Goodwood Festival of Speed
Subscribe and access Motorsport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.
Top Comments