“It’s crazy”: Lewis Hamilton reacts to Kimi Antonelli being a toddler during his first F1 win. Kimi Antonelli and Lewis Hamilton joke about their age gap in a lighthearted press conference after the Chinese GP.

Lighthearted banter between the two drivers

The two drivers joked about the large age difference between them.

Strong chemistry between Kimi and Lewis

It was hard to tell who was happier after the Chinese Grand Prix: Andrea Kimi Antonelli or Lewis Hamilton. The Italian driver celebrated his first-ever Formula 1 victory and even shed tears, while the Englishman achieved his first podium as a Ferrari driver and showed visible, genuine satisfaction at finally securing a top-three finish in the red suit.

Lewis Hamilton praised the Mercedes driver, emphasizing how privileged he feels to witness the rise of a new F1 star. During the press conference, Antonelli pointed out that when Hamilton won his first F1 race in Montreal, Canada, in 2007, he was only one year old (technically not even that yet).

“Ah! That’s crazy,” Lewis Hamilton responded regarding the generational gap between him and Antonelli. “But it’s really great to see him emerge and to watch talented young drivers, who truly deserve it, reach the top—it’s really fantastic.”

The lighthearted banter between Kimi Antonelli and the Ferrari man shows the unique era Formula 1 has entered in 2026. As the grid blends legendary experience with explosive new talent, these interactions highlight a healthy competitive environment where the legends of the sport are embracing the next generation of winners.