Championship leader Antonelli unveils bespoke £30,600 home simulator built to mirror his Mercedes W17

Kimi Antonelli, the 19-year-old leading the 2025 Formula 1 championship by 41 points, has revealed a bespoke home simulator rig built to precisely mirror his Mercedes W17 race car. The system, constructed by UK-based manufacturer Cool Performance, was installed ahead of his victory at the Canadian Grand Prix — the fourth of five consecutive wins this season.

Developed over three months and requiring more than 150 hours of coachbuilding, the rig was configured using direct feedback from Antonelli himself. It makes him the tenth F1 driver to commission a simulator from Cool Performance, joining a list that includes Carlos Sainz, Alex Albon, and 2025 champion Lando Norris.

“The Formula Pro lets me set everything up exactly how I need to, which is essential when I’m using the simulator for training between races,” Antonelli said.

Steering feedback is delivered through a CP-S Leo Bodnar direct-drive wheelbase capable of producing up to 26Nm of torque, calibrated to replicate the physical load a driver’s upper body endures through high-speed corners. The system is operated via a genuine Mercedes steering wheel. The rig also features a custom hydraulic pedal box and a hand-stitched leather and fibreglass race seat matched to his W17 seating position, with the drivetrain developed in partnership with specialists Quaife Engineering.

The Formula Pro model is available to the public, with retail pricing starting from £30,600.

Antonelli’s strong start to his second F1 season has been built on a run of five straight victories. He became the youngest driver ever to lead the championship standings following back-to-back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grands Prix, before adding further victories in Miami, Monaco, and Canada. He now holds a 41-point advantage over Lewis Hamilton in second place ahead of this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix.