Mercedes teenager Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Formula 1 victory on Sunday March 15, 2026 at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second youngest driver to win a race in the sport’s history after converting pole position into a commanding triumph in Shanghai.
The 19-year-old Italian delivered an impressive performance throughout the race to lead a Mercedes one-two finish, crossing the line 5.5 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell.
Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton secured third place to earn his first Grand Prix podium since joining the Italian team, while Charles Leclerc finished fourth and Haas driver Oliver Bearman completed the top five.
Antonelli had already made headlines on Saturday after becoming the youngest polesitter in Formula 1 history, and he backed that achievement with a composed race performance.
Although Hamilton briefly surged ahead at the start after launching from third on the grid, Antonelli quickly reclaimed the lead before the end of the second lap and maintained control of the race from that point onward.
The Mercedes driver remained firmly in command even after the race’s only Safety Car period early on, keeping his advantage after his pit stop.
Despite a tense moment late in the race when he ran wide at the Turn 14 hairpin with four laps remaining, Antonelli recovered without losing significant time and secured a memorable maiden victory.
Russell finished second after battling through the field following the Safety Car restart, where he had briefly fallen behind the two Ferrari drivers during a period of reduced grip.
The result keeps the Briton at the top of the Drivers’ Championship standings.
Hamilton, meanwhile, celebrated his first podium finish for Ferrari in a Grand Prix, achieved at the same Shanghai circuit where he won the Sprint race the previous season.
Hamilton, meanwhile, celebrated his first podium finish for Ferrari in a Grand Prix, achieved at the same Shanghai circuit where he won the Sprint race the previous season.
The seven-time world champion was forced to defend his position from teammate Leclerc for much of the race, with the two Ferrari drivers running wheel-to-wheel on several occasions before Hamilton ultimately secured third place.
Oliver Bearman finished fifth for Haas after avoiding an early spin, with Pierre Gasly sixth, Liam Lawson seventh, Hadjar eighth, and Sainz and Colapinto completing the top ten.
Nico Hulkenberg was 11th, followed by Arvid Lindblad, while Bottas, Perez, and Ocon rounded out the classified runners.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen retired with a technical issue ten laps from the end while running sixth with other several retirements including, Alonso, Stroll, and McLaren’s Norris and Piastri, with Bortoleto and Albon also missing the start.
