Mercedes rising star Kimi Antonelli revealed that he was genuinely taken aback by Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton’s warm reaction following his first Formula 1 Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai last week. The young Italian’s breakthrough win marked a major milestone in his career, achieved in only his 26th race start, and came after an intense early battle with the seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton for the lead.
Starting from pole position, Kimi Antonelli initially lost out to Lewis Hamilton at the very first corner, as the Briton’s Ferrari SF-26 launched perfectly from P2 on the grid. However, Antonelli quickly regained his composure and reclaimed the lead on the second lap, demonstrating remarkable racecraft and mental resilience, especially given the pressure of his early duel with Lewis Hamilton. This early exchange highlighted Antonelli’s ability to stay calm under intense competition, a quality that has impressed many within the Mercedes garage.
Lewis Hamilton had surged forward at the start of the Chinese Grand Prix, overtaking both Mercedes cars from P3 on the grid. While Antonelli could not defend against the initial Ferrari acceleration, maintaining second place through the opening corners was a crucial achievement. His position at the start reflected lessons learned from his poor starts in both the Australian Grand Prix and the Shanghai Sprint, showing that Kimi Antonelli had improved his launch performance under pressure.
Maintaining a position ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell into Turn 1 was another key factor in Kimi Antonelli’s strategy. By holding the ideal racing line, Antonelli positioned himself perfectly to challenge Lewis Hamilton and gradually extend his lead over George Russell. The early safety car deployment on Lap 10 added further importance to Antonelli’s positioning, as it allowed him to consolidate his advantage and control the race pace while minimizing risks to his tires and track position.
Antonelli impresses with composure and near-perfect race execution
Kimi Antonelli delivered an almost flawless performance en route to his maiden Grand Prix victory in Shanghai. The only notable misstep came on Lap 53 when he briefly locked up into Turn 14, yet it had no significant impact on his commanding lead. Observers, including former Ferrari chairman Luca di Montezemolo, were particularly impressed by Antonelli’s exceptional composure. His calm and strategic approach, combined with precise car control, stood out as unusually mature for an Italian driver of his age, highlighting why many see him as one of Formula 1’s brightest young talents.
Lewis Hamilton’s reaction to Kimi Antonelli’s victory also became a highlight of the weekend. The seven-time world champion praised Antonelli and predicted that he would achieve “many” more Grand Prix wins throughout his career. Antonelli admitted that he was genuinely surprised by the magnitude of Hamilton’s congratulations and enthusiasm, noting that while all drivers on the podium offered their congratulations, Lewis Hamilton’s warmth and sincerity stood out the most.
Sources close to the Mercedes camp explained that Antonelli found Lewis Hamilton’s support particularly motivating. Lewis Hamilton reportedly expressed how honoured he felt to share the Chinese Grand Prix podium with the young Italian and how genuinely happy he was to witness Antonelli, the driver who succeeded him at Mercedes following the Briton’s move to Ferrari, achieve his first career win. The gesture highlighted the respect and mentorship that the seven-time world champion continues to offer within the Formula 1 community, even as he competes against emerging talent like Kimi Antonelli.
Antonelli continues early 2026 momentum with back-to-back podiums
Lewis Hamilton ultimately finished the Chinese Grand Prix in P3, securing his first podium as a Ferrari driver after a challenging 2025 season in which he had failed to reach the rostrum for the first time in his career. Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli’s victory in Shanghai followed a strong rookie campaign in 2025, where he earned three podiums. Now, with two races completed in the 2026 season, Antonelli has already secured two podium finishes, reinforcing his reputation as a rising star capable of competing at the highest level against seasoned champions like Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Mercedes insiders noted that Antonelli’s combination of composure, strategic awareness, and raw speed makes him a formidable contender for future races. His ability to learn from past mistakes, particularly regarding race starts, and to execute under pressure against elite competitors like Lewis Hamilton, signals that he could play a major role in the championship battle as the 2026 season unfolds.
Overall, Kimi Antonelli’s first Grand Prix victory in Shanghai not only confirmed his talent and racecraft but also earned him the admiration of a legendary competitor. Lewis Hamilton’s unexpected praise underscored the mutual respect between emerging and established Formula 1 stars and highlighted Antonelli’s rapid rise as one of the sport’s most promising young drivers.
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