Kimi Antonelli makes history as he wins the Chinese Grand Prix.
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Kimi Antonelli took his first Formula 1 victory at Shanghai International Circuit after dominating majority of the race. The 19-year-old Italian became the second youngest grand prix winner in F1 history behind Max Verstappen who was 18 years, 228 days old when he won the Spanish Grand Prix in 2016.
Antonelli was already on track for a great weekend as he became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history on Saturday, beating previous record holder Sebastian Vettel who was 21 years and 73 days old at the time of his pole in the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli fought back tears in his post-race interview with David Coulthard as he struggled to find words to describe the feeling of his win.
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"I'm speechless. I'm about to cry to be honest. Thank you so much to my team. They helped me to achieve this dream," said Antonelli, who is the first Italian race-winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006, the same year Antonelli was born.
Antonelli’s win has impacted people across the world. After watching his rookie season last year, fans are happy to see him progress so quickly and achieve his dream of winning a Formula One race.
Formula One Journalist Fleur Rogerson stated: “Antonelli winning is a well needed boost of passion for the sport, seeing a young driver crying in an interview expressing how much winning in F1 means reminds everyone the passion that is present in the sport. Like Toto Wolff said in the radio message it also reaffirms the decision to trust a 19-year-old with a top seat on the grid. Honestly, it’s also just heartwarming to see.”
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The young driver could hardly believe it himself as he ran into the open arms of his team waiting to congratulate him. Antonelli’s father, Marco Antonelli was waiting at the barricade to celebrate with his son in which he hugged him with a proud smile across his face.
Antonelli made his way to the podium with a huge smile, but fans were left amused when the announcer introduced him as Kimi Raikkonen instead. George Russell, Lewis Hamilton and Kimi Antonelli immediately paused and began laughing as Kimi Raikkonen had not been on the podium since 2018. Mercedes saw the humour in the mistake and posted it to their TikTok account poking fun, not allowing it to ruin the young driver’s win.
As the team took a group celebratory picture, Antonelli brought an Italian flag with him to show the pride he holds for his country. Mercedes celebrated in style as they sprayed champagne everywhere, Antonelli attempted to run away, but his team chased him down.
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Mercedes fan Eryn Spiller said: “I have enjoyed watching Mercedes progress this year but this particular win means so much to me as I have grown up watching Kimi in Formula 4, and seeing how much it meant to him really touched me”.
Needless to say it is a day that most Formula One fans will not forget and certainly one Kimi Antonelli will remember for life.
