Kimi Antonelli opens his F1 account and Hamilton climbs onto his first podium with Ferrari

Antonelli is already a Grand Prix winner

Kimi Antonelli already knows what it's like to win in Formula 1. The young Italian secured his first Grand Prix victory in a race marked by strategy, tires, and a direct duel with his teammate, George Russell.

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium finish in red, completing a Sunday that blends generational change and new chapters for two of the most followed names in the paddock.

Clean start and first half: Russell in charge

The race started with George Russell controlling the pace from the front. Antonelli stayed in his slipstream, not taking excessive risks in the early laps and managing the hard tire, key to his strategy for the day.

As the laps went by, tire wear began to take its toll. Russell, who had set the initial pace, started to struggle more with his tires, while Antonelli maintained a more consistent rhythm, preparing for his attack in the second half.

The key: hard tires and patience

The turning point came when the hard compound's performance began to make a difference. Antonelli, more comfortable with that tire, gradually closed the gap on Russell lap after lap until he was in DRS range.

Without resorting to desperate maneuvers, the Italian capitalized on his superior traction and tire management to overtake his teammate and take the lead. From then on, he controlled the race flawlessly, setting a pace that Russell couldn't match.

Hamilton, first podium with Ferrari

Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton had a very solid Sunday, securing his first podium finish with Ferrari. The Briton wasn't in direct contention for the win, but he remained near the front throughout the race, maximizing his car's potential.

The result is a symbolic milestone: the seven-time world champion returns to the podium, but this time in the red overalls, in a scenario where race management and experience once again proved crucial.

A message to the paddock: Antonelli is ready

Beyond the result, the way Antonelli won speaks volumes about his sporting maturity. It wasn't a victory born of chaos, but rather of pace, tire management, and composure against a teammate with more experience in the category.

In a championship where every detail counts, this first victory sends a clear message: Antonelli hasn't just arrived in Formula 1, he's arrived to win races. And he did it against the driver on the other side of the garage, always the first rival to beat.

At Cars&Pizza News, we're left with the feeling that this race marks a turning point: Antonelli takes his first win, and Hamilton begins his Ferrari career on the podium. Who are you rooting for today: the rookie who's already winning, or the veteran reinventing himself?