At the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Kimi Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 podium finish, placing third behind George Russell and Max Verstappen. The 18-year-old Italian’s impressive performance marked a significant milestone early in his career, showcasing his growing potential in the sport.
After only 10 races in Formula 1, Antonelli demonstrated why the Brackley squad invested in his talent from a very young age, having supported him since he was 11 years old.
Father’s Emotional Reaction and Praise for the Young Driver’s Performance
Speaking with Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz, Marco Antonelli found it difficult to contain his excitement and pride while discussing his son’s achievement.
Unbelievable. After 10 races in Formula 1. He did very well,
said Marco Antonelli.
Kravitz emphasized the strong defensive driving Antonelli displayed, especially as he held off pressure from two McLaren drivers trailing him.
He did very well. He’s had the first pole, of course, in Miami, now the first podium. The stress. Welcome to Formula 1 with the stress from the McLarens behind, but he dealt with it brilliantly.
Previous Milestone in Miami Hinted at Antonelli’s Rising Talent
Antonelli had already made history earlier in the season during the Miami Grand Prix by becoming the youngest driver to claim pole position in a Formula 1 race format. That achievement hinted at his potential, which his podium finish in Canada has brought closer to realization.
Antonelli Reflects on His Stressful but Rewarding Race
After the race, Kimi Antonelli described his experience on the track as intense yet fulfilling.
It was so stressful but super happy,
Antonelli said.
He explained how a strong start helped him jump to third place early on, allowing him to maintain his position among the frontrunners.
Antonelli admitted to pushing hard during the last stint while following Max Verstappen, which caused some damage to his car’s front-left tire and led to a challenging finish. Nevertheless, he expressed satisfaction at bringing home a podium.
Definitely this track has been good for us, the car has been incredible all weekend, and hopefully we can carry the same momentum into the next few races.
Potential Podium Risk Due to Safety Car Investigation
At the time of this report, there remains a possibility that Antonelli’s podium could be affected by a pending safety car infringement investigation. Despite this, his performance during the race remains a remarkable achievement and a clear indicator of his promising Formula 1 career ahead.