Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
Motorsport
Motorsport

F1 fans stunned by Kimi Antonelli podium mix-up in viral Chinese GP moment

Formula 1 fans have lost it after Kimi Antonelli was announced as Kimi Raikkonen during the Chinese Grand Prix podium ceremony.

The Italian driver was caught off guard as he walked out to celebrate his maiden F1 win at the Shanghai International Circuit, but for those watching from home, it was not clear what Antonelli had found so amusing. Later, Mercedes shared footage of the viral moment.

The video has since amassed over 850,000 views on X.

"Lol what a gaff to make. First win and gets introduced as someone else," one fan commented, while another added: "Haha, he had one job to do. I was wondering why he was looking so confused. I didn't catch it at the time."

"That’s why he looked so confused. When I watched the race, I thought he had lost or something, like why would he be surprised about Lewis and George already being there," wrote another fan, and someone else simply commented: "This is hilarious."

Antonelli became the second-youngest grand prix winner in China.

"What an incredible day! This win is a fulfilment of one of the dreams I’ve had ever since I first drove a go-kart," he said in a Mercedes race debrief.

"I want to say thank you to my amazing family and the incredible team at both Lauda Drive and Morgan Drive. I couldn’t have done this without any of them, and it means so much to take my first victory in F1. It was a very special moment for all of us.

"The race itself wasn’t easy. I lost a position at the start and had to fight back to get ahead. We then had to manage the safety car restart which wasn’t easy on the Hard compound. It was difficult to get the tyres working but fortunately we were able to before we were under threat from those behind.

"This has been a great way to close the first double-header of the season, but there is lots of work ahead. We aren’t taking anything for granted and will make sure we work hard ahead of Japan and arrive in Suzuka in the strongest position we can."

Photos from Chinese GP - Sunday

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Alexander Albon, Williams, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Oscar Piastri, McLaren

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Alexandra Leclerc and Carmen Montero Mundt walk in the paddock.

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lando Norris, McLaren

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing, Gabriel Bortoleto, Audi F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Sergio Perez, Cadillac Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Muni He walks in the paddock.

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Gene Haas, Founder and Chairman of Haas F1

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Alexander Albon, Williams

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Fans of Lewis Hamilton

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Lando Norris, McLaren

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Alexander Albon, Williams

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Arvid Lindblad, Racing Bulls

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Isack Hadjar, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Start action

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Carlos Sainz, Williams

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine crash

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine crash

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team, Franco Colapinto, Alpine

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, Toto Wolff, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari, George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

Chinese GP - Sunday, in photos

Formula 1
67
Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.