Kimi Antonelli’s spontaneity shone through on the Shanghai podium after his first Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix: “I nearly pooped myself,” he said, making F1 CEO Stefano Domenicali burst into laughter.
The Chinese Grand Prix will forever remain a historic day for Andrea Kimi Antonelli: the young Mercedes driver claimed his first F1 victory, also becoming the first Italian to win a Grand Prix in over twenty years.
But one of the most amusing moments of the weekend came just minutes after the race, on the podium, when Kimi Antonelli met Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali. Immediately after stepping out of his car and reaching the podium area, Antonelli received Stefano Domenicali’s congratulations for his remarkable achievement.
Antonelli’s reaction to Stefano Domenicali’s congratulations after his first F1 win
The Italian driver’s response was as genuine as it was spontaneous. “I nearly pooped myself,” Antonelli admitted, recalling the moment on the penultimate lap when he ran wide in a corner, briefly losing control of his Mercedes before quickly regaining it.
The comment immediately brought a smile to Stefano Domenicali, who fully understood the tension the young Mercedes talent had experienced in the final laps. The Formula 1 CEO responded with the same candidness, recalling a particularly tense moment during the race.
“When I saw you run wide, I said: stop!” Stefano Domenicali recounted. He was referring to one of the most intense moments of the race, when Antonelli risked jeopardizing everything with a minor mistake while leading.
The little exchange between Kimi Antonelli and Stefano Domenicali perfectly captures the human side of the Italian driver’s first victory. After a race managed with impressive maturity, the Bolognese talent allowed his genuine emotions to surface immediately after the checkered flag.
This spontaneous moment highlighted once again Antonelli’s authentic personality, showing that he can remain natural and sincere even on the most important day of his young Formula 1 career.
Kimi Antonelli’s debut win in Shanghai will be remembered not just for the points he scored or the records he broke, but for the “shat myself” moment that proved even the brightest stars of the next generation feel the immense pressure of the Great Circus.
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