At Circuit Gilles Villeneuve during the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, Kimi Antonelli achieved an emotional and pivotal career milestone by finishing on the podium for the first time in Formula 1. The 18-year-old Italian driver completed the race in third place behind winner George Russell and second-place finisher Max Verstappen, marking a significant moment in his rising F1 journey. This achievement highlights Antonelli’s rapid ascent in the sport, demonstrating his potential and justifying the confidence placed in him by the Brackley team from a very young age.
Early Promise Realized Through Ten Races in F1
Antonelli’s podium finish came merely ten races into his rookie season, a testament to his talent and consistency. The Brackley squad had been cultivating him since he was 11 years old, and this breakthrough validates their long-term investment. His father, Marco Antonelli, expressed deep pride and emotion in an interview with Ted Kravitz of Sky Sports F1, showing how meaningful the achievement was for the family.
Unbelievable. After 10 races in Formula 1. He did very well,
said Marco Antonelli.
Defensive Skills Shine Against Strong Competitors
During the race, Antonelli displayed remarkable composure and defensive driving, especially while under pressure from two McLaren drivers vying for his position. Ted Kravitz pointed out how Antonelli managed the intense stress of holding his podium spot and the challenges of racing against experienced rivals.
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.
—Ted Kravitz, Sky Sports F1
Milestones Leading Up to the Canadian Podium
Antonelli’s momentum has been building steadily. At the Miami Grand Prix earlier in the season, he became the youngest driver ever to secure pole position in an F1 race format, showcasing his raw speed and qualifying prowess. This milestone was a clear indicator of his growing prowess, and the podium finish in Canada brings him closer to fully realizing the potential that many have anticipated.
Antonelli Reflects on Race Challenges and Success
After the race, Antonelli shared his thoughts on the event, acknowledging both the challenges and the excitement of his solid performance.
It was so stressful but super happy,
Antonelli said.
He described his start as strong, managing to leap into third place early on and maintain that position despite demanding competition. Although he pushed hard in the final stint, especially behind Max Verstappen, he admitted the strain affected his car’s front-left tires, causing some difficulty closing out the race.
I had a good start, managed to jump into P3 and just stayed up there at the front.
The last stint I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and I killed a bit the front-left, and struggled a bit at the end, but really happy to bring the podium home.
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 Setback and Future Outlook for Antonelli
Despite the excitement surrounding Antonelli’s podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, there is uncertainty regarding the final race classification due to a possible safety car infringement. This pending review could alter his official result, although it does not diminish the strong performance he delivered on track. The outcome of this investigation will be closely watched by fans and the team alike, as it carries implications for Antonelli’s debut season standings.
The young driver’s ability to deliver under pressure, combined with the support from his team and family, suggests that he remains a promising talent in Formula 1. Should his momentum continue, fans may witness more historic moments from Antonelli in upcoming races.
