(Motorsport-Total.com) – 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 best day of his life so far and provides 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 best day of my life so far,” Antonelli explains on 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 meaningful moment for me, for the team, and for my family.”
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: Fisichella’s Legacy
The return to Europe was also anything but ordinary. About the reception in his home country, he says: “There were journalists and many people at the airport, there was huge excitement because the previous victory was from 2006.”
Formula 1 drivers who have taken 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 generated a lot of enthusiasm,” said 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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