Kimi Antonelli Praises Max Verstappen’s Astonishing Talent: ‘I Feel Inspired’

Kimi Antonelli reached a significant milestone at the Canadian Grand Prix, claiming third place at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. At just 18 years old, Antonelli became the third youngest Formula 1 podium finisher in history.

The only drivers younger than him to achieve this feat are Max Verstappen and one other, with Verstappen holding the record. Antonelli’s performance was also a special moment for Italy, as he is the first Italian to stand on an F1 podium since Jarno Trulli did so at the Japanese Grand Prix in 2009.

Starting from fourth, Antonelli quickly moved up to third after a bold move past current championship leader Oscar Piastri on the opening lap. The Mercedes driver pushed hard to challenge for second, setting his sights on Verstappen, but eventually settled for third behind the Dutch driver, who is now a four-time world champion.

The result sparked celebration in the Antonelli camp, and he was welcomed by a huge cheer as he stepped onto the podium for the first time in his Formula 1 career. Antonelli reflected on the experience and spoke about what motivates him on the grid.

Racing against 19 of the best drivers in the world, he said, offers huge motivation every weekend. He highlighted Max Verstappen as someone particularly inspirational, citing Verstappen’s accomplishments during his early years as “astonishing.”

Antonelli expressed how important it is to measure himself against the best and how competing with someone like Verstappen has inspired him to push his limits. Having George Russell as a teammate has also played a big part in Antonelli’s progress this season.

Antonelli credited Russell with helping him develop and improve throughout the start of his rookie year. He emphasized that the support and advice from Russell were a key element in reaching the podium so early in his Formula 1 journey.

The Canadian Grand Prix delivered plenty of talking points, including Red Bull’s protest against Russell’s win and the on-track incident between Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Despite the off-track controversies, Antonelli’s drive stood out as a highlight for Mercedes, bringing back memories of past Italian successes in Formula 1.

The race was emotional for the entire Mercedes team and Antonelli’s family, marking an important step in the young Italian’s career. Looking at the current championship standings, Oscar Piastri leads with 198 points, followed by teammate Lando Norris on 176 and Max Verstappen on 155.

Antonelli’s third place adds valuable points for Mercedes, helping them hold second place in the Constructors’ race behind McLaren. As Antonelli continues to develop his skills and build confidence, fans will be watching closely to see how many more podiums are to come for this emerging Italian talent.

With strong teammates and role models in the field, Antonelli is poised for further success in Formula 1. His debut podium at such a young age suggests that many more achievements could be on the horizon as he continues to draw inspiration from the sport’s best. For Mercedes, adapting to recent challenges, including the FIA rule change, will be crucial to supporting drivers like Antonelli moving forward.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.