– Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has reflected on his first Formula 1 victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. The youngster describes the triumph as the most beautiful day of his life so far and gives insights into how enthusiastic the reactions were in his home country Italy.
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The 19-year-old converted his first pole position directly into his first victory on March 15 at the Shanghai International Circuit. With this success, he ended a 20-year drought for Italy: Antonelli is the first Italian Grand Prix winner since Giancarlo Fisichella, who last stood on the top step of the podium at the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix.
“The first victory is always something special”
“It was probably the most beautiful day of my life so far,” Antonelli explains in the Mercedes Nu Silver Arrows Radio Show. “To realize this dream and achieve the first victory is something special – especially the first time. It’s a unique moment that only happens once in a lifetime. It was a very significant moment for me, for the team, and for my family.”
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It became particularly emotional due to the presence of his loved ones: “My father was there, which was great. Unfortunately, my mother couldn’t be there because she had to take care of my sister. But I think it was a great moment for everyone, and especially for myself. As I said, I was able to fulfill one of my dreams, and that was extremely emotional. But it was super cool.”
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Enthusiasm in Italy: The legacy of Fisichella
The return to Europe was also anything but ordinary. About the reception at home, he says: “There were journalists and many people at the airport, there was huge excitement because the previous victory dated back to 2006.”
Photo gallery: Formula 1 drivers who took their first two victories consecutively
“Fisichella, Malaysia 2006, if I’m not mistaken. So a long time has passed. Bringing Italy back to the top was really cool and definitely caused a lot of excitement,” says the Mercedes driver.
Antonelli now travels to the next round in Miami as the leader of the drivers’ standings. He is currently nine points ahead of his teammate George Russell, who holds second place in the World Championship.
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