Kimi Antonelli struggled to hold back the tears after winning his first-ever Grand Prix in China on Sunday morning. The Italian, 19, kept team-mate George Russell at bay throughout to continue his fine start to the season.
In the immediate aftermath, the teenager cut an emotional figure when describing the feeling of winning his first-ever race. « Thank you so much. I’m about to cry to be honest, thank you so much to my team, as they help me to achieve this dream…
« I really wanted to bring Italy back on top and we did today, I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards then end with the flat spot, but it was a good race, a good race.
« It was not an easy start, probably I covered a bit too much on the inside and gave too much room to the Ferrari, but the pace was good and we managed to bring it home. » On the campaign ahead, he added: « We are just at the beginning, George is an incredible driver, very strong in all aspects, so it’s going to take a lot to beat him.
« It’s such a great opportunity to be working with him as well, because I’ve been learning a lot from him, and looking forward to the rest of the season. I focus race by race and we see where we end up at the end of the year. »
Lewis Hamilton, who recorded his first podium with Ferrari, was full of praise for Antonelli after watching the emotional Mercedes driver ride to victory. « Firstly, I have to say a huge congratulations to Kimi, » he said.
« I’m so, so happy for you buddy and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him. He took my seat at this great team. A big congratulations to Mercedes who are pulling ahead at the moment, we’ve got a lot of work to do to try to keep up. »
Mercedes’ team principal Toto Wolff was clearly delighted and said: « It’s been a while that I’ve been in Formula 1, but that podium now was probably one of the best moments I’ve ever had. The three of them, with Bono right in the middle who was with Lewis forever and then took over Kimi, making him into what he is today… It’s rarely that I’m overwhelmed, but that was such a moment.
« I think it’s come earlier than I though. Last year we said it was going to be a difficult year with many ups and downs, mistakes. And then bang, the second race. He controlled it from the front and drove very well today. He’s probably a little bit better than the trajectory that I thought. »
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