Former F2 race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered his first F1 podium finish at the 2025 Canadian Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver finished third, after passing championship leader, and 2021 Formula 2 Champion, Oscar Piastri, on the opening lap.

2018 F2 Champion George Russell scored his fourth career win and first of 2025.

Italian Antonelli had qualified fourth and didn’t look out of place running at the sharp end alongside race winners and World Champions.

The 18-year-old said the move on Piastri was crucial to the podium finish: “The start was the key to achieving that. I managed to get track position on Piastri and that enabled us to show our pace.”

At points he even challenged Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for second place, threatening a Mercedes 1-2 finish.

However, the teenager settled for third, although he admitted to making an error in the final part of the race.

“In the final stint, I think I pushed a little too hard in the early stages and that made it difficult near the end. I was able to defend from the McLarens though and bring the car home in P3.”

Antonelli, who won two races in F2 in 2024, thanked the team for their efforts to improve the W16 car.

“They have been working so hard to improve the car and I am glad to be able to get a result like this and have both our cars on the podium. It is a special moment for me personally and I am looking forward to building on it in the coming races,” he said.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff said Antonelli drove “a great race”.

“He made a strong start and that set him up for the rest of the race. He nearly managed to get second and then battled and defended well in the closing stages to hold off the McLarens.

“He fully deserved to get on the podium and his first top three finish which I am sure there will be many more of.”

Image Credit – Kimi Antonelli wins his first F1 podium at Canadian GP.David Kirouac-Imagn Images