Kimi Antonelli’s emotional team radio after first F1 podium with Mercedes | Canadian GP. Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates his first Formula 1 podium in Canada.

The Canadian Grand Prix marked Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first podium in F1, and the Mercedes driver was finally able to release all the built-up tension over the radio with Bono and Toto Wolff

It was a great day for Italian motorsport. After a triumphant afternoon at Le Mans, Formula 1 also delivered joy to the Bel Paese. In Canada, Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed his first podium in F1, and joining him on the radio to celebrate were his race engineer Peter “Bono” Bonnington and Team Principal Toto Wolff—the longtime key figures behind Lewis Hamilton, who also earned his first victory here. Sixteen years after Jarno Trulli’s podium at Suzuka, the drought is over. Here are the immediate reactions of Italy’s new F1 hope, Kimi Antonelli.

An explosion of joy after the stress of defending
“Yes boy! What do you think, Kimi? Great job, mate,” said Bono. “Oh my God, that was so damn stressful. Oh my God…” came the response. The calm tone of Bono, who’s been through it all with Hamilton, contrasted with the unrestrained joy of someone who almost couldn’t believe it. Antonelli, who had two McLarens constantly in his mirrors until the Safety Car, could finally let go. “How do you feel?” “Thank you guys, we really needed this.” “Yeah, well done!”

Toto Wolff’s congratulations
“Kimi, great! The Great one is growing! Little Kimi becomes Big Kimi!” These were Toto Wolff’s words upon his protégé’s first podium. We can only imagine what the Silver Arrows boss felt watching the young man from Bologna blossom. Wolff had backed the youngster from the karting days, always believing in him—and now Kimi is paying him back. Wolff’s eye for talent may have just secured Mercedes’ future, especially with the former Woking team junior George Russell brilliantly winning the Grand Prix.

Looking ahead to the rest of the season
Andrea Kimi Antonelli can already count a sprint pole and a podium in his F1 résumé, along with some bad luck from two technical retirements. The rookie is already showing what he’s made of, and despite mounting pressure during the European rounds, his season has so far been undeniably positive. Kimi now has to stay on this path, improving race after race—and he can do so with Mercedes’ full backing.