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Kimi Antonelli's father sends heartfelt message to Toto Wolff after first F1 victory

Kimi Antonelli's father, Marco Antonelli, thanked Mercedes team chief and CEO Toto Wolff after he watched his son claim his maiden Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix. 

The 19-year-old started the second race of the season from pole position and battled against his team-mate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc to defend his lead. 

While he fought back tears during his post-race interview, his father was equally as emotional.

"Yes, of course. Toto did everything," Antonelli Sr told Sky Sports F1, to which Wolff responded: "No, no. I think we did it together. Kimi, as a driver and as a personality, is because of the family. His mother, Veronica, and Marco, it's such a solid base of a family. The karting, the many hours in the car, going to every track. Congratulations."

Antonelli added: "We tried to do the best for our son, but Mercedes did a big job. I can say only thank you.

"You know, we had a moment, we talked about it. We were in Monza, Milano, two years ago. And I said, 'do you think Kimi is ready for the seat when he was in F2?' And [Toto] said, 'I think he is'. And I said, 'Well then, let's do it.' But at the end, the best is Toto."

Marco Antonelli, father of Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes (Photo by: Kym Illman / Getty Images)

While Antonelli had reached a huge career milestone at the Shanghai International Circuit, his father is realistic about the expectations of the young Italian driver fighting for the drivers' championship.

"I don't know, honestly, because Kimi is younger and I think that he's not perfect in this moment. He's a good driver, of course, but the experience is very important.

"And I think that George is a very super driver with a lot of experience, and it's difficult to beat him." 

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
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