Kimi Antonelli did not expect Lewis Hamilton’s comments after he won the Chinese Grand Prix

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Mercedes star Andrea Kimi Antonelli admits he was surprised that Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton was “delighted” for him after he won the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix last week.

Antonelli scored his maiden Grand Prix victory in Shanghai in his 26th race start following an early duel with Hamilton for the lead. The Italian started on pole position but lost out to the Briton into Turn 1, yet he kept his head and reclaimed the lead with ease on Lap 2 out of 56.

Hamilton used his quick-starting Ferrari SF-26 to immediately fly past both Mercedes drivers from P3 on the grid. Antonelli could not show any defence, although keeping P2 at the start of the Chinese GP was enough after his poor starts in the Australian GP and Shanghai Sprint.

Staying ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell into Turn 1 was vital for Antonelli’s bid to win the Chinese GP. He stayed in the perfect position to strike back against Hamilton, and he then built a lead over Russell that was even more key with the early safety car on Lap 10.

After Kimi Antonelli’s win in Shanghai, which F2 graduate will be the next to win their first Grand Prix?

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Kimi Antonelli was most surprised by Lewis Hamilton’s praise for winning the Chinese GP

Antonelli almost drove a faultless race en route to his victory in Shanghai, with the 19-year-old only putting a foot wrong when he locked up into Turn 14 on L53. Luca di Montezemolo was shocked by Antonelli’s “composure” as he won the Chinese GP, as it was very un-Italian.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Mercedes F1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Such a solid victory in China also saw Hamilton predict that Antonelli will take “many” more wins in his F1 career. Receiving a lot of praise from the seven-time champion took Antonelli by surprise, and he could not believe that Hamilton was so happy to see him win in China.

Antonelli told Rai Sport when asked whose praise he did not expect: “Lewis was really nice to me. Hamilton, he was absolutely delighted for me, really. He was absolutely [happy for me]. Everyone congratulated me, but I have to say that Lewis was the nicest of them all.”

A slam dunk from Kimi Antonelli, adding the fastest lap to his pole position and Grand Prix victory in China! ⏱️

Where does this rank in the list of the best maiden Grand Prix victories? 🤔

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As well as predicting more wins, Hamilton said he was “so honoured” to share the Chinese GP podium with Antonelli and that he was “so happy” to see the man who replaced him at Mercedes win. Mercedes gave Antonelli his F1 debut in 2025 after Hamilton joined Ferrari.

Hamilton finished the Chinese GP in P3 to get his first Grand Prix podium as a Ferrari driver, having failed to secure a rostrum during a season for the first time in his F1 career in 2025. Antonelli took three podiums as a rookie in 2025 and now has two from two races in 2026.