Kimi Antonelli Shares Stressful Feelings Ending 16-Year F1 Drought

Kimi Antonelli made history at the Canadian Grand Prix, becoming the first Italian driver in 16 years to stand on a Formula 1 podium. The 18-year-old rookie grabbed third place after starting fourth on the grid, navigating a tense finish as Oscar Piastri closed in.

Antonelli described the last laps as stressful, saying he was counting down the laps on his Mercedes W16 steering wheel. In the final stint, he admitted to pushing a little too hard behind Max Verstappen, which damaged his front left tire and made it difficult to maintain his pace.

As the race approached its conclusion, Oscar Piastri moved within DRS range, putting Antonelli under heavy pressure. There was even a moment when Piastri attempted an overtake at turn one, forcing Antonelli to defend with everything he had.

The pressure eased after Lando Norris collided with Piastri, resulting in the race winding down under safety car conditions. That incident ultimately secured Antonelli’s spot on the podium, capping off a memorable performance at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.

Antonelli’s success in Montreal placed him among the youngest podium finishers in Formula 1 history. Only Max Verstappen, who finished second, and home favorite Lance Stroll have reached the podium at a younger age.

The last time an Italian celebrated a podium in Formula 1 was in 2009, when Jarno Trulli finished second for Toyota at the Japanese Grand Prix. For Antonelli, the achievement carried even more meaning because of the long wait since Italy’s last rostrum appearance.

After the race, Antonelli acknowledged the significance of his podium for Italian motorsport fans. He said the experience was made more special knowing how much it meant to supporters back home, especially after feeling huge support during the earlier race weekend at Imola.

Antonelli dedicated the result to the Italian Tifosi and shared that his next goal is to deliver a race win for them and put Italy back at the top of Formula 1.

The Canadian Grand Prix also saw a wild finish for the McLaren team, with Norris and Piastri’s late collision leading to further drama. Mercedes’ resurgence over the weekend was notable too, as George Russell took victory, showing improved pace for the team. This resurgence followed recent Mercedes FIA rule changes that have impacted team performance.

Antonelli’s breakthrough comes during a strong season for Mercedes, who now sit second in the constructors’ standings with 199 points. He joins an exclusive group of drivers to score a podium on their debut campaign, adding another layer to a season already full of surprises.

The next races will test whether Antonelli can move from podium finisher to race winner and build on this momentum for himself and Italy. Meanwhile, the ongoing technical developments, such as the F1 flexi wing innovations seen at the Spanish GP, continue to shape the competitive landscape this season.