Kimi Antonelli left in tears after ‘dream’ first F1 grand prix win to end 20-year wait

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 19, claimed his maiden Formula One victory in China on Sunday, becoming the second youngest race winner in F1 history

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Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli was emotional after his first Grand Prix victory(Image: Getty Images)

Kimi Antonelli battled to contain his emotions after claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory in China on Sunday morning. The 19-year-old Italian held off team-mate George Russell throughout to extend his impressive start to the campaign.

Antonelli becomes the second youngest grand prix winner in history, just 24 hours after becoming the youngest polesitter. Russell’s runner-up spot means he retains the championship lead, four points clear of Antonelli.

In the immediate aftermath, the teenager appeared visibly moved when describing the sensation 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.”

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Kimi Antonelli was left in tears while being interviewed after the race

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Regarding the season 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 achieved his first podium with Ferrari, was effusive in his praise for Antonelli after witnessing the emotional Mercedes driver triumph. “Firstly, I have to say a huge congratulations to Kimi,” he expressed.

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Kimi Antonelli won his first-ever Grand Prix in China by beating George Russell(Image: Getty Images)

“I’m so, so happy for you mate and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him. He took my seat at this fantastic 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.”

Toto Wolff, Mercedes’ Team Principal, admitted that the scenes on the podium were one of the best moments he’s ever experienced in the sport. “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,” he said.

“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 thought. 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.”