It took Kimi Antonelli just 10 races to finish on the Formula 1 podium and become the third youngest driver of all time to do so.
The young Mercedes star has been on a steep learning curve this season, but has impressed on track with his consistency and speed.
Without a poor run of mechanical luck, he may have been above Lewis Hamilton, the man he replaced, in the drivers’ championship.
Antonelli’s one-year deal expires in 14 races’ time, but the signs point to him being retained for the 2026 F1 regulations on current performance.
Antonelli played a ‘genuinely’ crucial role in helping his team to secure their first victory of the season at the Canadian Grand Prix.
Despite Antonelli’s high risk of a grid penalty, he continues to drive well and is picking up some incredibly valuable experience ahead of next season’s new ruleset.
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Kimi Antonelli’s father made a ‘fundamental’ decision to travel to all Formula 1 races in 2025
Given that Antonelli is one of the youngest drivers to ever grace the Formula 1 grid, he needs lots of support and some patience along the way.
It’s why, heading into the season, his father, Marco, made the important decision to travel with him to every race this season, as his mother, Veronica, revealed to La Gazzetta dello Sport.
“Yes, I think it was necessary in this first season that is so delicate for him,” she said. “Marco knows the motorsport environment perfectly and for Andrea having him at his side is fundamental, both for technical help when needed, and for personal peace of mind.
“When he doesn’t see him in the garage he sends for him, because having him there is a certainty for him. It’s not easy to manage, we had to make choices as a family and at work this year, but I think it was the right choice. We mustn’t forget that Andrea is first and foremost an 18-year-old boy with a lot to learn.”
Antonelli has done something ‘nobody’ at Mercedes expected by securing a maiden sprint pole position in Miami, and there may yet be even more to come from him this year.
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Kimi Antonelli’s mother made an ‘exception’ for the Canadian Grand Prix before first F1 podium
Antonelli has been told by Mercedes where to improve, and he’s going to need to listen if he wants to take the next step.
Russell won in a very similar car to what he is in on Sunday, and with a little more experience, that may have been able to be him too.
Speaking later with La Gazzetta dello Sport, his mother went on to admit that she took the unusual measure of watching the race in Montreal for once, rather than the timing screens, as is her go-to.
“Let’s say it went well like this, even if it was the longest 70 laps of my life. Usually I like to watch the sectors, it reassures me to see the most technical part of the race, but on Sunday I made an exception and it was beautiful to see Andrea’s first podium”.
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