Finishing exams ‘a big relief’ for Antonelli as he insists Canada podium ‘has to be a turning point’

Kimi Antonelli has admitted that finishing his exams has come as a “big relief”, with the rookie completing his schooling in the days after scoring his first F1 podium at the Canadian Grand Prix.

Antonelli had been juggling his education with embarking on his debut season in Formula 1, having memorably combined the two by bringing his class from school to his first home race at Imola.

But now that has come to an end following the completion of his exams, with Antonelli saying of the achievement: “I'm super happy to have finished this journey, which was important to finish. Now I can just focus on racing, and it's a big relief as well.”

Having not been able to enjoy too many celebrations of his P3 result in Montreal given his impending examinations, the Mercedes driver admitted that balancing his school work with his racing career has proven difficult at times.

“I couldn't even celebrate Canada because I had to go and study straight away,” Antonelli conceded. “It's not easy of course to balance studies with motorsport, especially this year with F1 because I have a lot more commitments outside racing as well.

“So a lot less time but I'm super happy that I was able to finish this journey, and now I can just focus and enjoy racing.”

Despite this, Antonelli can still recall how it felt to stand on the podium at the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve, a moment that he believes marks a key “turning point” in his season.

“It took me a little while to realise what happened in Canada,” the 18-year-old reflected. “It was such a special moment. I remember going on the podium, I had goosebumps, especially also after hearing people chanting my name. I think was a really special moment.

“Also to see the whole team in the pit lane, my dad as well, I think is a memory that I will remember forever. It took me quite long because when something such as this happens, it's something so big that it takes a little bit for the brain to realise.

“Mercedes were so kind, they let me bring the trophy home and I put it in the living room and every day I was walking past seeing the trophy, it was special. That also made me realise what had happened.

“[It] was a really good result, big relief on my side and I think this has to be a turning point because obviously now I showed to myself that I can do it and now, because the feeling is so good, you just want more.”

Looking ahead to this weekend’s Austrian Grand Prix, Antonelli is curious to see how the pecking order shakes out.

“It’s going to be interesting,” the teenager said. “First of all, we need to see the weather which is quite unpredictable. Just looking at today, it was crazy.

“I think Canada was a good boost of confidence, was a big relief as well, especially to release the stress, and I think this weekend is going to be different.

“Different track, different conditions, it's a track where usually Red Bull have been strong. For sure McLaren are going to be strong so I think it's going to be pretty tight, but I'm ready to give my best.”