Shanghai: Teenage sensation Kimi Antonelli produced a memorable performance to claim his first Formula One victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, leading home a dominant one-two finish for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team ahead of teammate George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton secured his maiden podium for Scuderia Ferrari.
The 19-year-old Italian converted his historic pole position — making him the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history — into a landmark triumph at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai after both cars from McLaren Formula 1 Team failed to start the race due to technical issues.
Antonelli briefly surrendered the lead at the start but quickly regained control of the race. Once back in front, the rookie dictated the pace and gradually extended his advantage, eventually crossing the finish line more than five seconds ahead of Russell. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finished fourth.
An emotional Antonelli struggled to contain his feelings after the breakthrough win.
“I’m speechless, I’m about to cry to be honest,” Antonelli said. “Thank you to the team for helping me achieve this dream.”
The youngster delivered an almost flawless drive, with only one tense moment late in the race when he locked up at a hairpin on the penultimate lap. However, he quickly recovered after briefly running wide, avoiding any significant damage to his race.
“I really wanted to bring Italy back to the top and we did today,” Antonelli added. “Even if I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end.”
Russell, who had entered the race as the championship leader, praised his young teammate following Mercedes’ second consecutive one-two finish this season. The result also narrowed Russell’s lead in the drivers’ standings to four points.
“A huge congratulations to Kimi because it’s always very special to win your first race,” Russell said.
Hamilton, the seven-time world champion who was replaced at Mercedes by Antonelli ahead of the new season, also congratulated the teenager after securing Ferrari’s first podium of the campaign.
“I’m so happy for you, buddy, and I’m honoured to share this moment with him,” Hamilton said. “He took my seat at this great team, so big congratulations to Mercedes. We’ve got a lot of work to do to try and keep up.”
Hamilton had earlier surged into the lead at the start after making an excellent getaway, moving ahead as the field navigated the opening corners. Leclerc also launched well, overtaking Russell to move into second place.
The top positions changed several times during the early stages before a safety car on lap 11 prompted the leading drivers to pit.
When racing resumed, Antonelli emerged ahead of Hamilton, with Leclerc third and Russell fourth. Russell steadily worked his way back through the field and by lap 29 had overtaken both Ferraris to reclaim second place before attempting to close the gap to his teammate.
Further back, four-time world champion Max Verstappen endured another frustrating outing as the Red Bull Racing driver was instructed to retire his car on lap 46, highlighting the team’s difficult start to the new season.
Oliver Bearman finished fifth for Haas F1 Team, followed by Pierre Gasly of Alpine F1 Team and Liam Lawson representing RB Formula One Team.
Completing the top ten were Isack Hadjar for Red Bull, Carlos Sainz Jr. of Williams Racing and Franco Colapinto for Alpine.
The race proved disastrous for McLaren as both drivers failed to start. Reigning world champion Lando Norris was unable to reach the grid due to an electrical issue, while teammate Oscar Piastri initially made it to the grid before being pushed back to the garage with a separate technical problem.
“Unfortunately we identified separate issues on both cars which prevented them from starting the Chinese GP,” McLaren said in a statement.
The double setback continues a difficult start to the season for the reigning constructors’ champions, with the team yet to field both cars in a race this year after Piastri crashed on his way to the grid at the season-opening round in Melbourne.
