Kimi Antonelli Secures First Formula 1 Victory as Podium Announcer Mistakenly Introduces Him as Kimi Raikkonen

Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli takes his maiden F1 win in Shanghai, but a hilarious podium blunder sees him introduced as retired legend Kimi Raikkonen.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 16, 2026, 4:08 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from PlanetF1

The Rise of a New Kimi on the Formula 1 Stage

The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix marked a definitive shift in the sport’s hierarchy as Kimi Antonelli clinched his first career victory in Shanghai. While the name "Kimi" has long been synonymous with 21-time race winner Kimi Raikkonen, the weekend belonged entirely to the teenage Mercedes sensation. Antonelli showcased remarkable composure after losing his initial pole position advantage to a fast-starting Lewis Hamilton. He successfully reclaimed the lead within the opening laps and exploited a multi-car battle behind him to build a gap that the rest of the field simply could not bridge.

A Comical Case of Mistaken Identity

The historic nature of the victory was met with an unexpected moment of levity during the official podium ceremony. Master of Ceremonies Bob Constanduros accidentally introduced the young Italian as "Kimi Raikkonen," a slip of the tongue that immediately went viral across social media platforms. Mercedes teammates and rivals alike saw the humor in the situation, with George Russell seen sarcastically looking around the podium for the retired Finnish champion. The Brackley-based squad quickly embraced the blooper, releasing a humorous social media clip featuring Raikkonen in his former Ferrari overalls superimposed over the podium footage.

The Symbolic ‘Mercedes Through the Eras’ Portrait

The Shanghai podium served as a visual representation of the team's evolution over the last decade. Antonelli stood at the center as the emerging face of the future, flanked by George Russell in second and Lewis Hamilton in third. For Hamilton, the result marked his first podium finish since joining Ferrari, creating a unique scene where the driver who defined Mercedes’ hybrid-era dominance stood alongside his successor and the team’s latest homegrown talent. Adding to the nostalgia, Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, the longtime engineer for Hamilton and current voice for Antonelli, joined the trio to collect the constructors’ trophy.