Andrea Kimi Antonelli has credited Mercedes team-mate George Russell influence towards scoring his first-ever Formula 1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix.
The Italian rookie, who started in fourth place, leapfrogged Oscar Piastri at the start of the race, helping him to third place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, as Russell converted his pole position into victory.
Antonelli was able to finally smile again after a European triple-header which put him at his lowest ebb in F1 so far, having come away from Imola, Monaco and Barcelona without a single point to add to his tally.
And the 18-year-old intimated that Russell was crucial in his guidance to him, enabling them to stand together on the rostrum, but acknowledged there is a lot more for him to give on track.
“I’m still aware there’s a lot of work to do, especially when it comes to qualifying, trying to be quicker at the beginning of the session. But we’re on a good path. The team is doing a great job.
“Also, with George, he’s helping me to push myself even further. There’s a really good dynamic in the team. Hopefully, we can carry this momentum into the next few races.”
Antonelli added that the result was “also down to George,” having helped him to “develop and push myself even further.”
First podium experience gave Antonelli ‘goosebumps’
Antonelli was not just able to boast a first-ever top-three finish, but, as a consequence, was able to experience all that comes with standing on the podium.
“Well, it was much better than what I imagined,” he explained. “Hearing the crowd while walking onto the podium, I had massive goosebumps. That is definitely a moment I will remember for a very long time.”
Antonelli said that having experienced it for the first time, he will not strive to make it a regular occurrence.
“It gives you a boost – results like this and this feeling, you can’t buy this feeling. It’s an amazing feeling and you just want more.
“I think the goal now is to try to keep the same momentum and try to achieve more podiums, and hopefully maybe the first win – you never know in the future.”
Achieving the podium came with a battle for it, however, with Antonelli being forced to fend off the charging Oscar Piastri in the closing stages, and was relieved to cross the line ahead of the McLaren.
“I was just hoping for the race to finish, to be honest,” he said. “I was even looking at the screen counting the laps because it was very stressful.
“In the last stint, I pushed a bit too hard behind Max and eventually degraded the front left. The last few laps were a struggle, especially seeing Oscar getting closer and closer in the DRS range.
“At one point, he even tried to attempt the overtake in turn one. It took a lot of effort.”
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