Kimi Antonelli receives emotional message from Rosberg after maiden F1 win in China
Kimi Antonelli - Photo: Race Pictures
Henry Eccles is a freelance Formula 1 journalist for GPblog, covering breaking news, live race blogs, and features across the F1 calendar. Since joining in 2026, he has produced high-volume reporting on the sport’s biggest stories, alongside feature pieces including analysis and historical content.
Former Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg has sent Kimi Antonelli a special message following the young Italian's first-ever F1 win at the Chinese GP.
In Shanghai, Antonelli became the youngest ever pole-sitter in F1 history at 19 years, six months, and 18 days old, and converted that into his maiden win with a mature drive in the Grand Prix.
Rosberg, whose first win in F1 also came at the Shanghai International Circuit in 2012, has been a longtime supporter of Antonelli, claiming in the past that the teenager is a 'generational' talent.
Rosberg 'really emotional' after protégé Antonelli's first F1 win
ADVERTISEMENT
In a video posted to Mercedes' social media channels, Rosberg congratulated Antonelli on his first win, and said he was "really emotional" watching a young driver he helped guide through his junior career.
Rosberg said: “Congratulations, really so awesome to follow that.
"We've known each other for so many years. Incredible to watch your career progress and to get that win now in F1.
"I was really emotional watching it, and you deserve it so much. So, amazing, wishing you all the best, and for the next race as well. Such a great car, you have an amazing situation to be in now, and I can remember that so much from my time.
"There are some comparables. I also won my first race in China. We're both now [two] of only seven Formula 1 race winners with Mercedes. So that's super, super special.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Gonna keep cheering for you, all the best to you, to the team, also to George [Russell], of course. It's gonna be such an exciting season, and I hope to see you very, very soon.”
Antonelli and Rosberg share a connection that dates back to the former's junior career, as Rosberg supported the young Italian during his go-karting days when he was part of the Rosberg Racing Academy.
The 2016 world champion even revealed in May 2025 a financial contribution he made to the young Mercedes driver's rise through the ranks, joking to Sky Sports that the Silver Arrows were being “cheapskates” and not paying up their full budget.
"It was a tiny amount but I had to put in a bit myself. He was one of the best go-karting drivers we have ever seen in the history of go-karting. He has the level of talent like Hamilton, Verstappen,” Rosberg said.
Wolff keen to avoid another 'Hamilton-Rosberg' feud amid 2026 domination
ADVERTISEMENT
Following his first-ever Grand Prix win in Shanghai, Antonelli is four points off title favourite Russell, with many now wondering whether the 19-year-old can challenge his more seasoned teammate for the 2026 title.
An intra-Mercedes fight for the Drivers' title will not doubt evoke memories of the tense battle between friends-turned-enemies Hamilton and Rosberg, but Toto Wolff is confident the dynamic between his two Mercedes juniors is "totally different."
GPblog's latest F1 Paddock Update
Want to stay up-to-date with what happens in the F1 paddock? Then GPblog's F1 Paddock Update video is the perfect way to do it. Subscribe to GPblog's YouTube channel and turn on notifications to never miss the latest episodes.
ADVERTISEMENT
Read also
Don’t miss GPblog in Google
Mark us as a preferred source and our articles will appear more often at the top of Top Stories.
Add as a preferred / source on Google
