Ahead of the Spanish Grand Prix weekend, Kimi Antonelli was spotted in the stands, not on the track. The young Italian driver was revealed through behind-the-scenes footage shared by Formula 1's social media channels: Antonelli mingled with the Barcelona crowd during Friday's first practice session, wearing a Spider-Man mask and a Mercedes hoodie. His identity, which fans suspected but couldn't confirm, has now been officially revealed by the images released by F1.
Why was he in the stands?
Antonelli's decision to miss the practice session was part of a strategic move by the team. Mercedes allocated the first free practice slot of the season to their reserve driver, giving Dane Frederik Vesti valuable time on track. Thus, Antonelli chose the stands instead of driving his own car, turning the opportunity into an unusual form of entertainment.
A detail that didn't escape the fans' notice.
As cameras scanned the Barcelona stands on Friday, viewers noticed the masked figure's posture and hooded sweatshirt, leading them to suspect it was Antonelli. Behind-the-scenes footage released by Formula 1 today confirms these suspicions. Spanish GP 2026 race calendar and broadcast information. According to reports, the exciting weekend program continues. A clip that quickly spread on social media showed Antonelli spending time in the crowd like an ordinary spectator in his team uniform.
The young pilot's joyful day
The humorous aspect of the incident was very well received in the Formula 1 world. Antonelli not only had the opportunity to experience the grandstand atmosphere firsthand, but also forged an unexpected connection with the fans. One of the youngest and most intriguing drivers of the season, Antonelli will make a significant return to the Barcelona circuit this weekend for the second practice session and qualifying.
Antonelli was hiding in the stands wearing a Spider-Man mask! 🕷️ F1 confirmed the secret that fans suspected on Friday with behind-the-scenes footage. #F1 # SpainGPhttps://t.co/4XrxykBRxv pic.twitter.com/aeL3xfTrbm
— Fren Yok (@frenyok46) June 13, 2026