Antonelli keeps focus after maiden F1 podium: ‘Still work to do’

Kimi Antonelli says he still has “a lot of work to do” to become a consistent performer in Formula 1, despite his standout podium in last weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix.

The 18-year-old Mercedes prodigy made headlines in Montreal with a composed drive to third place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, delivering a double-podium finish for the Silver Arrows alongside teammate George Russell.

The result made Antonelli the third-youngest podium finisher in Formula 1 history, behind only Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll.

While the achievement justified a bubbly celebration, the Italian rookie struck a humble tone when reflecting on his weekend, insisting that he remains focused on areas for growth, particularly in qualifying, as he aims to become a dependable force in the sport.

“I mean, I’m still aware there’s a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to qualifying, trying to be quicker at the beginning of the session. But we’re on a good path,” he said during the post-race FIA press conference.

Pressure, Progress, and a Podium to Remember

While his racecraft earned praise, Antonelli acknowledged the pressure he faced during the closing stages, as McLaren’s Oscar Piastri closed in with DRS.

“I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest,” he admitted. “I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful. In the last stint, I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and eventually degraded the front left.

“The last few laps were a struggle, especially seeing Oscar getting closer and closer in the DRS range. At one point, he even tried to attempt the overtake in turn one. It took a lot of effort.”

Antonelli also credited the positive environment at Mercedes for helping him continue to grow in his rookie season.

“The team is doing a great job. Also, with George, he’s helping me to push myself even further. There’s a really good dynamic in the team. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the next few races.”

"Much better than I imagined"

Sunday's podium was particularly emotional for Antonelli, as his father, Marco, was in attendance to witness the milestone moment. And the local crowd made sure he felt their support, chanting “Kimi” during his interview with Nico Rosberg after the race.

“Well, it was much better than what I imagined,” Antonelli said. “Hearing the crowd while walking onto the podium, I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time.

“It gives you a boost – results like this and this feeling, you can’t buy this feeling. It’s an amazing feeling and you just want more.

“I think the goal now is to try to keep the same momentum and try to achieve more podiums, and hopefully maybe the first win – you never know in the future.”

Antonelli's maturity and honesty about his development suggest that his Canadian GP podium may be just the first chapter in what could be a remarkable Formula 1 career.

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