Antonelli reacts to bizarre Shanghai podium mix-up after being called 'Kimi Raikkonen'

Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli has shared his confusion after the Shanghai podium announcer mistakenly called him by the name of F1 legend Kimi Raikkonen following his maiden Grand Prix victory. The 19-year-old Italian, now the second-youngest winner in F1 history, also revealed emotional messages of support from Italian sporting icons, including a special dedication from tennis star Jannik Sinner.

Why it matters:

For a young driver securing a historic first win, the podium ceremony is a sacred and defining moment. A public mix-up with a legendary former champion—who shares his first name—could easily overshadow the achievement. However, Antonelli's handling of the incident and the subsequent outpouring of support from national heroes highlights his rising profile and the symbolic weight his victory carries for Italian motorsport.

The details:

• The gaffe occurred immediately after the Chinese Grand Prix, as the circuit announcer introduced the race winner as "Kimi Raikkonen," causing widespread confusion and laughter.
• Antonelli described being momentarily frozen: "I couldn’t believe it, I didn’t know whether to go up on the podium or not, I was completely confused."
• Beyond the podium slip-up, the weekend was a major personal triumph. He received congratulatory messages from skiing legend Alberto Tomba and, most meaningfully, from tennis world No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
  • Antonelli said Sinner dedicating his own recent victory to him was what "truly made me emotional."
• 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who also took his first F1 win in China, sent a poignant message highlighting their long acquaintance and Antonelli's deserved success.
  • Rosberg noted they now share membership in the exclusive club of Mercedes race winners and praised the team's current competitive position.

What's next:

The amusing incident is unlikely to dim the shine of a breakthrough victory that solidifies Antonelli as a future star. With Rosberg's endorsement and the backing of a competitive Mercedes car, the focus now shifts to whether he can build consistency and challenge for more wins in what promises to be a tightly contested season. The moment has cemented his arrival on the global stage, mix-up and all.