Netflix to release 'The Seat' documentary on Antonelli

The Seat next month, focusing on Mercedes’ decision to promote 18-year-old Kimi Antonelli to its race team for the 2025 season.

Directed by Kyle Thrash, the 45-minute film offers rare insight into the discussions that led to Antonelli’s promotion following Lewis Hamilton’s departure from Mercedes. Produced in collaboration with WhatsApp and the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1Team, The Seat will be released globally on 5 May.

According to Hollywood Reporter, the documentary provides exclusive access to private conversations that took place via WhatsApp, showing how the messaging platform played a central role in the team's internal communication. It also delves into Antonelli’s background, highlighting his Italian roots and his journey to becoming the third-youngest rookie in Formula 1 history.

Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team principal and CEO Toto Wolff said: “Selecting Kimi as our race driver for 2025 was, as The Seat documents, a big decision. WhatsApp played an instrumental role in this. It was the engine that kept everything moving smoothly and privately, allowing our team to focus on Kimi’s development, discuss progress, and ultimately communicate our choice.

"We’re excited to give F1 fans around the world a unique insight into the process, showing how we arrived at this pivotal moment in the team’s history," added Wolff.

Antonelli said: “It is a dream come true to be an F1 driver with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team. Throughout the process, Toto, the team and I were in constant communication on WhatsApp and The Seat shows this process from start to finish. I can’t wait for the world to join us on this journey, streaming the documentary on Netflix.”

The Seat is the second original film developed through the partnership between WhatsApp and the Mercedes team. It also marks the first WhatsApp-produced film to launch on Netflix.

Vivian Odior, global head of marketing at WhatsApp, remarked: “We are excited to bring users one step closer to the inner workings of a sport they love. This story and the WhatsApp messages within them really uncover the journey Mercedes took in navigating this pivotal moment in their history.

"We have always known WhatsApp, and the privacy we afford users, is integral to the inner workings of Mercedes in addition to being a tool in connecting drivers, fans, everyone really to those closest to them. It’s why this has been an organic partnership and why we knew we could tell this story authentically and delight this worldwide fandom.”

The documentary’s release comes as Formula 1 enjoys increasing mainstream attention, with team boss Wolff also serving as a producer on the upcoming Brad Pitt-led feature film F1