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By Hoang Nguyen  April 17, 2026 | 06:00 pm PT
The moment Italian F1 sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli winked at a camera has gone viral across social media, amassing 11.1 million views and over 800,000 likes in just two weeks.
The video was posted to Instagram on March 30 by Thai sports presenter Sweet Varn Varn to celebrate Antonelli's dominant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.
As of mid-April, the clip continues to trend, with thousands of fans expressing admiration for the young driver's charisma and his Gen Z appeal.
Antonelli's performance on the track has been equally headline-grabbing. On March 29, the Mercedes driver secured his second consecutive F1 victory at Suzuka, making him the youngest driver in history to lead the standings.
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F1 racer Kimi Antonelli and his signature wink. Photo by Reuters |
Off the track, the 19-year-old has become a fan favorite for his approachable and friendly demeanor, often contrasting with the more reserved nature of his peers. He frequently engages with public audiences through heart gestures, blowing kisses and his signature wink, helping him become one of the most commercially attractive figures of the season, according to Formula 1.
Antonelli joined Mercedes for the 2025 season as the successor to Lewis Hamilton. His rapid ascent through the ranks included multiple F4 and F2 titles before his direct jump to F1.
Earlier this season, he set a new record as the youngest driver to achieve pole position during the Chinese Grand Prix. His father, Marco Antonelli, is a former racer and founder of the kart racing team Antonelli Motorsport.
Kimi Antonelli's wink after a race that has garnered millions of views. Video by Sweet Varn Varn on Instagram
