Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has opened up about how Sunday’s race unfolded for him, future goals, and role models following his maiden podium finish at the F1 Canadian GP.
Despite lining up in fourth on used mediums, Antonelli got a fantastic launch off the line and managed to overtake Oscar Piastri into Turn 3. After making his first pit stop on Lap 14, the 18-year-old bolted on sets of used and fresh hard tyres respectively for his final two stints.
Although things were heating up between Antonelli and Piastri in the closing stages of the race, Lando Norris’s collision with his teammate neutralised the action on Lap 67.
The race ultimately ended behind the Safety Car, with George Russell securing Mercedes’s first victory of the season and Antonelli clinching the final spot on the rostrum.
Antonelli “super happy” after first F1 podium
Speaking during the post-race track interviews, Kimi Antonelli reflected on his performance and shared his immediate sentiments following his maiden journey to the F1 podium at the Canadian GP.
With P3 for Mercedes, the 18-year-old became the third-youngest podium finisher of all time behind Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll.
Touching on his Lap 1 overtake, a delighted Antonelli also opened up about struggling with tyre degradation in his final stint after chasing Verstappen for a potential P2 finish.
“I mean, it was so stressful, but super happy.
“Had a good start, I managed to jump into P3. And yeah, just stayed up there at the front. And the last stint, I pushed a bit too hard behind Max [Verstappen], and I killed a bit the front left. I struggled a bit at the end, but really happy to bring the podium home.”
Furthermore, the Italian elaborated on how he orchestrated the move on Piastri that set him up for the podium.
“I mean, I had a good launch, and I managed to get alongside. And then in the corner, I just tried to carry as much speed as possible. And then when I was alongside him in T2, I knew I would have had the advantage, especially going into T3, and really happy to stick that.”
Holding onto the podium took a lot of effort
In terms of the pressure that Piastri put on him in the closing stages of the F1 Canadian GP and what his thought process was, Kimi Antonelli confessed that he found those laps rather taxing.
Moreover, the Mercedes driver revealed how vulnerable he was to the Australian’s attacks after his tyres had taken a hit pursuing Verstappen.
“I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest. I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful.
“In the last stint, I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and eventually degraded the front left. The last few laps were a struggle, especially seeing Oscar [Piastri] getting closer and closer in the DRS range. At one point, he even tried to attempt the overtake in turn one. It took a lot of effort.”
Podium finish a big confidence boost after tough triple header
When asked during the post-race press conference what this third-place finish meant for him, Kimi Antonelli acknowledged that it was a crucial step to rebuild his confidence after his point-less European triple header.
“It meant a lot, especially after a difficult triple header on my side. Definitely took some confidence away, but this was the best way to bounce back.”
In respect of whether the outcome of the F1 Canadian GP weekend will boost his confidence moving forward, Antonelli admitted that his latest achievement has propelled him to a better place.
Although emphasising the progress he still needs to make in terms of refining his one-lap pace, the rookie recognised his rapid teammate’s role in pushing him further and maintained that the team is moving in the right direction.
“Yeah, definitely. I mean, I’m still aware there’s a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to qualifying, trying to be quicker at the beginning of the session.
“But we’re on a good path. The team is doing a great job. Also, with George [Russell], he’s helping me to push myself even further. There’s a really good dynamic in the team. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the next few races.”
Next goal is an F1 victory
With regard to the step forward that Mercedes seem to have taken at the F1 Canadian GP and whether he is targeting a win next, Kimi Antonelli stated that the Brackley-based team is intent on producing similar results in the upcoming races.
“I mean, that’s the goal. But yeah, definitely, this track has been good for us. The car has been incredible all weekend. And yeah, hopefully, we can carry the same momentum into the next few races.”
Asked to describe his feeling on the F1 podium for the first time, Antonelli was effusive about how memorable the moment was in front of the jubilant crowd. He also added how this accomplishment has left him hungry for more podiums and his first victory in the near future.
“Well, it was much better than what I imagined. Hearing the crowd while walking onto the podium, I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time.
“It gives you a boost—results like this and this feeling, you can’t buy this feeling. It’s an amazing feeling and you just want more. I think the goal now is to try to keep the same momentum and try to achieve more podiums, and hopefully maybe the first win—you never know in the future.”
Eager to bring Italy back on top
Jarno Trulli was the last Italian driver to climb onto an F1 podium at the Japanese GP in October, 2009.
With regard to the significance of Antonelli being the first Italian on the rostrum in 16 years, the 18-year-old proclaimed after the F1 Canadian GP that he is keen to further boost Italy’s legacy at the pinnacle of motorsport.
Lamenting his retirement from the Imola GP, the Mercedes driver also stated that he is grateful for the support and dedicated the podium to the Tifosi across the world.
“It’s obviously a great feeling to be the next Italian on the podium after such a long time.
“Now the next goal is to win, to bring Italy back on top. This result was needed.
“It’s also for all the Italian Tifosi out there. Imola was an incredible weekend for me in terms of support. It didn’t go as well as I wanted, but seeing so much support already early on is great. So, this result is also for them.”
Antonelli considered Verstappen a role model and is grateful for Russell’s guidance
In terms of how Verstappen, the youngest driver ever to score a podium finish in F1, has inspired his journey, Kimi Antonelli acknowledged that the Dutchman’s astonishing achievements in his early years had served as a source of motivation.
Highlighting how it has been a great opportunity to race against the best drivers in the field, the Italian was nonetheless appreciative of Russell as a benchmark and how his guidance has helped him improve throughout this first half of his rookie season.
“Racing in F1 with the 19 other best drivers on the grid gives you a lot of motivation. Having the chance to race at your best and show what you’re capable of is a great boost.
“Of course, seeing what Max has done over the years, especially in his rookie years, was quite astonishing. So definitely he’s a model who I get inspired by.
“But at the end, racing against the best is a great chance. And having someone like George as a teammate really helps you improve. It’s also down to George this result because he has helped me during this first part of the season to develop and push myself even further.”
