Kimi Antonelli breaks down after winning Chinese Grand Prix, Lewis Hamilton joins him on podium: “I'm so happy for you” Kimi Antonelli celebrated his first Formula One victory after winning the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, breaking down emotionally as he processed the moment. The 19-year-old driver, who became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history during qualifying, described the win as a dream come true. “I'm speechless, I'm about to cry to be honest. Thank you to the team for helping me achieve this dream,” he said, reflecting on the challenges of the race. Antonelli admitted he had a difficult start, losing position early due to a mistake on the track, but managed to recover and secure the win. The race marked several milestones for Antonelli, including his first podium finish and a historic achievement for his age. His father, Marco Antonelli, was present at the event to witness his son’s breakthrough. Marco expressed pride in Kimi’s performance, acknowledging the team’s role in the success. “We tried to do the best for our son, but Mercedes did the big job,” he said, adding that while Kimi showed promise, the path to becoming a world champion would be challenging. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s performance, calling it one of the most emotional moments of his career. “That was one of the best moments for me,” Wolff said, highlighting the collaboration between Kimi, Lewis Hamilton, and other team members. He noted that Antonelli’s progress had exceeded expectations, describing the driver’s calm demeanor and focus as key factors in his success. Lewis Hamilton, who finished third in the race, shared his joy at sharing the podium with Antonelli. “I'm so happy for you,” Hamilton said, expressing his support for the young driver.#mercedes #lewis_hamilton #kimia_antonelli #shanghai #marco_antonelli
