Kimi Antonelli has confused the necessity to enhance regardless of securing his maiden F1 podium on the Canadian Grand Prix.
Antonelli completed third on the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve on Sunday, giving Mercedes their first double-podium end of the 12 months.
The Italian has turn into the third-youngest podium finisher in F1 historical past, with Max Verstappen and Lance Stroll barely youthful after they completed within the prime three for the primary time.
Antonelli drove a mature race to complete third, overtaking Oscar Piastri on the opening lap.
Antonelli pressured Verstappen at numerous phases – however Purple Bull lined him off with two well timed pit stops.
The 18-year-old resisted strain from the McLaren duo within the latter phases.
Talking within the FIA press convention after the race, Antonelli mirrored on his first podium end.
“I imply, I’m nonetheless conscious there’s a variety of work to do, particularly in the case of qualifying, making an attempt to be faster initially of the session. However we’re on a superb path,” Antonelli stated.
“The group is doing a terrific job. Additionally, with George, he’s serving to me to push myself even additional. There’s a extremely good dynamic within the group. Hopefully, we will carry this momentum into the following few races.”
Antonelli conceded that the closing laps had been “nerve-racking” because of the strain from Piastri behind.
“I used to be simply hoping for the race to complete, to be trustworthy,” he added. “I used to be even trying on the display screen counting the laps as a result of it was very nerve-racking. Within the final stint, I pushed a bit too exhausting behind Max and ultimately degraded the entrance left.
“The previous few laps had been a wrestle, particularly seeing Oscar getting nearer and nearer within the DRS vary. At one level, he even tried to aim the overtake in flip one. It took a variety of effort.”
First F1 podium “higher than I imagined”
Antonelli’s first podium was particular, notably as his father, Marco Antonelli, was current.
The Canadian crowd had been additionally heard chanting “Kimi” when he spoke to Nico Rosberg in parc ferme after the race.
“Properly, it was significantly better than what I imagined,” Antonelli defined. “Listening to the group whereas strolling onto the rostrum, I had huge goosebumps. That’s positively a second I’ll keep in mind for a really very long time.
“It provides you a lift – outcomes like this and this sense, you’ll be able to’t purchase this sense. It’s a tremendous feeling and also you simply need extra. I believe the purpose now’s to attempt to maintain the identical momentum and attempt to obtain extra podiums, and hopefully possibly the primary win – you by no means know sooner or later.”
