During the bustling Miami Grand Prix weekend, Kimi Antonelli faced a tense moment near the water when a shark warning was issued at a popular beach. Despite the alert, the young Italian driver went surfing, only to be startled by what he initially believed was a lurking predator. Fortunately, the supposed shark turned out to be nothing more than a harmless duck, ending the scare and allowing Antonelli to focus on his racing ambitions in Miami.
With Formula 1 racing drawing global attention to Miami, both Antonelli and George Russell took some time to explore the city, touring in a luxurious Mercedes AMG SL 63 as part of the team’s promotional activities. During this outing, Russell shared that he had heard about a shark sighting near Miami’s beaches, a detail that added an unexpected edge to their relaxed day.
I woke up this morning at like six, because of a bit of jet lag, and it was just so nice seeing the sunrise—and then there was a shark in the water yesterday,
Russell revealed in a video posted by Mercedes.
Typically, beaches affected by shark sightings are temporarily closed to protect swimmers and surfers, but Antonelli apparently went into the water despite the warning. Whether he hit the beach before the news broke or just decided to take the risk, his actions showed a mix of courage and perhaps a hint of youthful recklessness.
I did wake surfing in the sea… And honestly, I was a bit nervous,
Antonelli admitted, explaining the uneasy feeling that came with the situation.
His nervousness was well-founded when, after falling off his board, Antonelli spotted what he thought was a shark nearby.
In the sea, I was like… I fell off the board and I see this thing on the water. And I got so scared. I thought it was like a shark or something. But in the end, it was a duck,
the 18-year-old said, with Russell laughing in the background. Antonelli continued,
But I could just, in the moment, I could just see its head. I didn’t realize it was a duck. I got so scared… I thought it was a shark or something!
This surprising confusion highlights the intense tension swimmers and surfers face when predators are reportedly present in the water. Thankfully, for Kimi Antonelli and those around him, the encounter ended with relief rather than tragedy. Mercedes AMG’s team will likely assess the situation carefully in the aftermath, ensuring future safety protocols are followed to avoid any real dangers.
As the Miami waters now pose no threat, the spotlight shifts back to Antonelli’s rising career. Despite narrowly missing out on a win after securing sprint pole earlier in the weekend, the rookie sits in a promising position, starting third on the grid for the Grand Prix. His efforts so far suggest that a first career podium may be within reach, marking a potential milestone in his early Formula 1 journey.
The mix of high stakes on the track and unexpected moments like the surfing shark scare add a dramatic layer to Miami’s thrilling F1 weekend. For Kimi Antonelli, the close call in the water only underscores the restless energy surrounding this exciting chapter in his career, as fans watch eagerly to see how he transforms this tension into success.
