--- title: "Kimi Antonelli Mistakenly Introduced as ‘Kimi Raikkonen’ After Chinese F1 GP Win" date: "2026-03-16" modified: "2026-03-16" authors: - name: "Jerry Perez" job_title: "Deputy Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/jerry-perez" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/kimi-antonelli-mistakenly-introduced-as-kimi-raikkonen-after-chinese-f1-gp-win" categories: - "F1" - "News" - "Racing" --- # Kimi Antonelli Mistakenly Introduced as ‘Kimi Raikkonen’ After Chinese F1 GP Win ![SHANGHAI, CHINA - MARCH 15: Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team during the podium ceremony after winning the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, his first career Formula 1 victory, at the Shanghai International Circuit, in Shanghai, China, on March 15, 2026. (Photo by Artur Widak/NurPhoto)]() *\Artur Widak\* It's safe to assume that [Kimi Antonelli]() will never forget the 2026 [Formula 1]() Chinese Grand Prix: 2nd place on Sprint Qualifying, 4th place in the Sprint, his first-ever pole position in GP Qualifying, and the most important one of all, 1st place on the day it counts most; race day. But just as he stepped on the podium to celebrate his first-ever F1 win, the person responsible for calling out the drivers' names for the podium ceremony called him Kimi [Raikkonen](). LOL It's a silly blunder, and thankfully Antonelli is chill enough to simply laugh it off, but at the same time, what was the announcer thinking? If Raikkonen were still racing in F1, or maybe both Kimis were on the podium, I'd get the confusion, but it's been *years* since the Raikkonen name was on any F1 call sheet. This [YouTube short]() below best captures that moment. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/gsvoX8uwEjI Regardless, I was very happy to see Antonelli earn his first pole and victory. As the father of a similarly-aged boy, it's completely mind-blowing to think of the mental and emotional (and physical) stress Antonelli has had to deal with since being announced as a replacement to Lewis Freaking Hamilton at the age of just 17 years old. The ups and downs the young Italian has had to navigate have been extreme, so to see things go his way and earn him a healthy dose of confidence is very heart-warming to see. Way to go, Kimi (not Raikkonen). *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com* ## Author Jerry is responsible for upholding The Drive's ethos as an audience-first, enthusiast-driven car blog that serves up industry-leading news, reviews, culture, and motorsport coverage. Overseeing a staff of writers and editors from his home base in Indianapolis, he helps curate the site's daily rundown, as well as its medium- and long-term content strategies. Jerry joined The Drive in 2018 as a writer and worked as news editor and managing editor before becoming the deputy in 2023. As a lifelong car enthusiast and racing fan, Jerry believes that all cars are cool, but the people behind the machines are even cooler. This belief often gives The Drive a slightly different focus from most other car sites, where we explore the humanity behind the machines. When he's not obsessing over the day's biggest stories or hanging out at a race track, Jerry can be found behind the wheel of a car, most likely sharing a laugh with his teenage son or daughter. ### Author social links [Instagram]()