Kimi Antonelli’s maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday was widely celebrated amongst Italy’s sporting elite, with Jannik Sinner paying tribute to the Mercedes star during his Indian Wells Masters winners’ speech.
After writing his name in the history books as F1’s youngest ever pole-sitter at the Chinese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli coolly converted it into a maiden victory when the lights went out on Sunday afternoon.
The Italian didn’t put a foot wrong on his way to the chequered flag, with Mercedes’ mightily impressive 2026 F1 car giving him all the tools necessary to beat teammate George Russell by over five and a half seconds.
It was a popular result in China, with Toto Wolff celebrating a one-two finish for the Silver Arrows as former flame Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium with his first appearance on the rostrum in Ferrari colours.
Kimi Antonelli admits he was ‘surprised’ by Jannik Sinner’s Indian Wells tribute
The result was also well celebrated by practically the whole of Italy. Antonelli’s feat saw him become the first Italian F1 driver to stand on the top step since Giancarlo Fisichella won the 2006 Malaysian Grand Prix for Renault.
Joining in with the plaudits was Jannik Sinner, a motorsports fanatic who is no stranger to the F1 paddock.
After dispatching Daniil Medvedev in the final of the Indian Wells Masters, Sinner paid tribute to Antonelli by giving the F1 star a shoutout in his trophy acceptance speech.
Upon Antonelli’s return to his hometown of Bologna, the 19-year-old was swarmed by journalists who wanted a few words from Italy’s latest hero.
One reporter asked him about Sinner’s words in California, to which he replied, “Well, I received a lot, but I was very surprised by Jannik’s dedication at Indian Wells.
“In fact, I wrote him a message back because I appreciated it very much; it was really nice.”
MotoGP star Francesco Bagnaia also paid tribute to Kimi Antonelli
Francesco Bagnaia, a two-time world champion in MotoGP, also paid tribute to Antonelli’s feat in an interview with GPOne.
“He’s so cool,” the factory Ducati rider began. “It blows my mind to think he’s only 19, my brother’s age, and he’s already among the big names.
“With Mercedes, he’s in the best possible position; he had an incredible weekend, too bad about the Sprint.
“I texted him, but he must be flooded with messages. We’ll catch up in the next few days; maybe now that he lives in San Marino, we’ll be able to see each other a bit more.”
