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Lewis Hamilton took to social media to congratulate Kimi Antonelli on his first race win, making a similar comment to Max Verstappen.
Kimi Antonelli earned his first Grand Prix win in Shanghai, becoming the second-youngest Grand Prix winner ever behind Max Verstappen.
Antonelli received his flowers from Lewis Hamilton, who finished behind him in third, almost instantly after the race.
Kimi Antonelli’s win in Shanghai makes him the second youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history. Will Max Verstappen’s record ever be broken?!
Let us know in the comments below!
Kimi Antonelli entered Formula 1 with massive shoes to fill, as he came in to replace the exiting Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes.
After the race, many fans picked Antonelli over Hamilton as Driver of the Day in Shanghai. But if Hamilton is to be believed, this is just the beginning for the young Italian.
READ MORE: Lewis Hamilton pinpoints the ‘biggest difference’ between his Ferrari and Mercedes’ 2026 F1 car
Lewis Hamilton co-signs Max Verstappen’s prediction for Kimi Antonelli’s future in Formula 1
After the Chinese Grand Prix, Max Verstappen was asked for his reaction to Kimi Antonelli’s maiden Grand Prix win. Verstappen admitted that Antonelli would win many more in the years to come.
“It won’t be his last one as well, but the first one is very emotional.”
Now, it appears Verstappen’s former rival agrees with this sentiment, as he took to Instagram to share a picture with Antonelli, congratulating him on his big win.
“Well done Kimi, first of many…”
Antonelli getting to share the podium with one of his idols and the driver he had to replace in his debut season would have been a phenomenal moment. Toto Wolff even called it a career highlight.
Despite Antonelli and Hamilton being different in many ways, the youngster is proving to be a fine replacement for the seven-time world champion.
READ MORE: Toto Wolff told Kimi Antonelli to ‘stop with this nonsense’ during annoyed Chinese GP radio message
A maiden Grand Prix win for Kimi Antonelli, as well as a first podium appearance for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari! 🍾
What was your favourite moment of Antonelli's debut win?
Kimi Antonelli continues to impress in second season
While Kimi Antonelli struggled in his debut season in Formula 1, it seems as though the experience has made him a far better driver.
In the first two races and the sprint in Shanghai, Antonelli has been competing at the highest level, with his lowest finish this season so far being second place.
While this type of success is probably unsustainable for a driver like Antonelli, getting these milestones under his belt will give him the confidence he needs to be successful further in his career.
Any talk of him competing for the drivers’ championship this season could be considered premature, but so far, Antonelli looks the part of a future world champion.
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