Kimi Antonelli’s rapid rise in Formula 1 has brought victories, growing recognition, and significant earnings. But the Mercedes driver is also facing a legal dispute with his former manager, Giovanni Minardi, who is seeking a share of the income Antonelli has earned and could continue to earn through 2028.
The case has taken another step forward after a court in Bologna ordered Antonelli and Mercedes to provide contracts and payment records connected to the driver’s earnings. The documents are expected to help establish the sums involved in Minardi’s claim, which remains disputed.
Why Is Kimi Antonelli’s Former Manager Seeking Millions?
The dispute centers on an agreement between Antonelli and Minardi Management, which dates back to 2014, when the Italian driver was still a young karting prospect.
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Minardi, the son of former Formula 1 team owner Giancarlo Minardi, claims he played a significant role in Antonelli’s development and rise through motorsport. Under the representation agreement, Minardi says he is entitled to percentages of the driver’s earnings. His legal team is seeking between 10% and 20% of Antonelli’s income, including earnings already received and amounts that could become payable before the agreement’s reported expiration in 2028.
“Giovanni Minardi never wanted to pursue the civil court route, but after deep consideration and great suffering, the option of ordinary justice remained,” explained Minardi’s lawyer, Mattia Grassani, as reported by Italian media outlet il Resto del Carlino. “I would like to point out that during the pre-litigation phase, there were several meetings between the parties to try to identify a possible amicable settlement. Minardi expressed his full availability in this regard, but unfortunately, it was not possible to reach an agreement.”
The disagreement escalated after the 20-year-old driver terminated the relationship with Minardi Management. Minardi’s side argues that the agreement was ended improperly and that the contractual financial obligations should still be honored. Antonelli’s position is contested by Minardi, and the court has not established that the former manager is entitled to the money he is seeking.
Court Orders Antonelli and Mercedes to Disclose Contracts
The Bologna court has ordered Antonelli and Mercedes to produce contracts between the driver and the team, along with accounting records showing payments made to the Italian driver. According to reporting by LaPresse and comments from Minardi’s lawyer, Mattia Grassani, the documentation must be submitted by November 6. The records are intended to clarify the financial arrangements and provide a basis for calculating any compensation Minardi may be entitled to under the disputed agreement.
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The scale of the claim could be substantial. Reports indicated that Antonelli earned roughly $12.5 million in salary and bonuses in 2025 alone. However, the final amount at issue will depend on the relevant contractual terms, the earnings covered by the agreement, and the court’s eventual findings. The order to disclose documents is an important procedural development, but it is not a judgment requiring Antonelli to pay Minardi.
What Happens Next in the Kimi Antonelli Lawsuit?
The next hearing is scheduled for November 19, after the requested contracts and payment records are submitted. Minardi’s lawyer has said his client remains open to a settlement, although he maintains that the former manager has strong grounds for pursuing the claim. If the parties cannot reach an agreement, the legal proceedings are expected to continue.
For Antonelli and Mercedes, the immediate issue is establishing the details of the driver’s earnings and contractual arrangements. For Minardi, the documents could help quantify the compensation he believes remains due.
The bottom line: The lawsuit places a financial dispute alongside Antonelli’s progress as a Mercedes F1 driver, but its outcome remains uncertain. The court’s document-disclosure order could clarify the amount being contested; it does not establish that Minardi’s claim is valid or that the current championship leader owes him a percentage of his earnings. The November hearings should provide a clearer picture of whether the dispute moves toward settlement or continues through the courts.
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