Andrea Kimi Antonelli experienced goosebumps after securing his first Formula 1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix with a third-place finish on Sunday. Despite pressure from championship leader Oscar Piastri, the 18-year-old rookie showcased maturity in his driving at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve.
Sharing the podium with his teammate George Russell and Max Verstappen, Antonelli deemed his performance in Montreal as his best yet this year. He expressed the significance of the podium, especially after a challenging triple-header, highlighting the personal value of bouncing back in this manner.
Antonelli recounted the stress of the final laps, particularly with Piastri closing in and attempting overtaking moves, emphasizing the immense effort it required. Acknowledging the need to improve in qualifying, he praised the team dynamic and support from George Russell while aiming to sustain the positive momentum in upcoming races.
The Italian driver cherished the emotional moment of standing on the podium, relishing the crowd’s cheers and expressing a strong desire for more success and achievements, including potentially clinching his first win in the future. Antonelli drew motivation from racing against the best drivers on the grid and looked up to Max Verstappen as a source of inspiration, emphasizing the role of his teammate, George Russell, in his development and progress in Formula 1.
