Kimi Antonelli battled the conditions, and the grid, to deliver a stunning result in his F1 debut
The first race of the 2025 Formula 1 season saw six new first-time drivers take to the grid. When the checkered flag flew four of them — Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, Gabriel Bortoleto, and Jack Doohan — had already been knocked out of the race. The fifth, Oliver Bearman, was last on the grid which was still an accomplishment given the struggles he endured throughout the week.
As for the sixth, he was less than two seconds away from a podium finish in his debut.
Mercedes made the call to replace Lewis Hamilton with young phenom Andrea Kimi Antonelli, and the 18-year-old dazzled in his debut, finishing fourth in challenging conditions after starting in P16. For a moment it looked as if Antonelli would be demoted to fifth due to a five-second penalty that was assessed for an unsafe release, but race officials ultimately rescinded that penalty after Mercedes presented new video evidence, reinstating him to P4.
With teammate George Russell finishing in front of him, it gave Mercedes a strong P3-P4 finish to begin their season.
“That was an incredibly eventful race,” exclaimed Antonelli in the team’s post-race report. “The conditions were super tricky out there. We had so many different conditions that we had to cope with today, but I think we did a good job as a team. I was happy with how we managed everything from start to finish and to come home P4, having started P16, is really positive.
“I definitely can’t complain about how my debut race in F1 has gone. It was also great to see George up on the podium for the team. Whilst we didn’t have the pace to challenge the McLarens, it’s always good to pick up silverware.”
Team Principal Toto Wolff praised both drivers after the race.
“Both drivers did a great job today in very challenging conditions. George drove a superb and controlled race to finish on the podium, whilst Kimi showed a great deal of maturity, in addition to the speed we know he has, to fight through from P16 to P4.
“The team executed the race well and operationally performed strongly. We saw many other drivers fail to make it to the flag, and other teams unable to take advantage of the opportunities that presented themselves, so we can be pleased with our Sunday,” added Wolff.
Trackside Engineering Director Andrew Shovlin joined in that praise for the team’s young driver.
“We are also delighted with how Kimi performed on his debut. He was unfortunate in Qualifying yesterday but didn’t let that deter him,” said Shovlin. “It was an accomplished fightback, cutting through the field in the early stages, and then keeping the car on track when others were unable to do so as the rain fell. P4 is a great return for him.”
As for the 18-year-old Antonelli, he is already looking to apply what he learned in Melbourne to next weekend’s Chinese Grand Prix.
“The whole weekend has been a good learning experience. Being knocked out in Q1 after suffering floor damage yesterday was obviously disappointing,” said Antonelli. “To bounce back today though, and experience so much in one race, is really good for my development as an F1 driver.
“We’ve had a strong first weekend and I’m looking forward to building on that in China next week.”
