'From Italy, Kimi Raikkonen!' - Antonelli victim of funny slip-up on the podium

The Italian driver has just secured the first victory of his Formula 1 career, a result that came after the superb pole position he claimed in qualifying, which allowed him to start from the front of the grid for the first time.

Antonelli then managed the race flawlessly, setting a strong pace from start to finish and preventing his teammate from ever getting back into contention for the win.

The celebrations that followed were understandably emotional, with Antonelli visibly moved during the post-race interviews and celebrating enthusiastically on the podium. However, just moments before the national anthems began, the Italian was accidentally announced as Kimi Räikkönen by the circuit’s speaker, who quickly corrected himself once he realised the slip-up.

The Mercedes team principal pointed out that the excitement and headlines were already beginning to build, warning that such early expectations can quickly become counterproductive for a driver still at the very start of his career. In his view, mistakes are an inevitable part of a young driver’s development, and Antonelli still needs time and space to grow without the added burden of championship speculation.

Wolff therefore dismissed the idea of discussing a potential title fight at this stage of the season, even while acknowledging that Mercedes currently has a car capable of competing for victories. He stressed that both drivers are being given equal opportunities within the team, but insisted it is far too early to frame the situation as a championship battle.

Ultimately, Wolff emphasised that Antonelli’s priority should be continuing to develop as a driver, gradually building the maturity and experience needed before any serious talk of title contention becomes relevant.