Kimi Antonelli announced his arrival among Formula One’s elite by becoming the second youngest driver ever to win a Grand Prix at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. At just 19 years and 202 days old, Antonelli’s composed performance from pole position secured a landmark victory, pushing Sebastian Vettel down the all-time winners’ list and placing him just behind Max Verstappen in F1 history.
Mercedes’ George Russell finished second, trailing Antonelli by 5.5 seconds, sending a clear message that the battle for a first world title will be fiercely contested. Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton earned his first Ferrari podium after a challenging 477 days, finishing third following an intense on-track battle with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. British rookie Ollie Bearman also impressed by finishing fifth for Ferrari.
The day was a nightmare for McLaren, as electrical problems sidelined both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri before the race even got underway. Adding to the drama, two-time world champion Max Verstappen retired late from sixth place due to mechanical failure.
READ MORE: No Start Date Set for Bus Access Improvements at Bridgwater Railway Station
READ MORE: Children’s Social Workers Warn Redundancies Will Devastate Support for Vulnerable Families
Antonelli capitalized on a gearbox issue in qualifying by Russell to claim his maiden pole. Although Hamilton burst off the line to lead at the first corner, Antonelli swiftly reclaimed first position on the following lap. Russell then overtook Hamilton, setting up a gripping contest at the front.
The race’s turning point came on lap 10 when Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin broke down, bringing out the safety car. All leaders pitted for fresh tires, and when racing resumed on lap 13, Antonelli never relinquished the lead, while Hamilton surged through the field, overtaking rivals on older tires to gain second place.
Hamilton’s pursuit of Antonelli was short-lived as Charles Leclerc executed a power-assisted pass to move ahead. A fierce three-way duel ensued between Hamilton, Leclerc, and Russell, with positions swapping multiple times. Russell eventually passed both Ferraris to claim second, but Antonelli’s lead stretched to over seven seconds and proved uncatchable.
The battle for the final podium spot remained fierce. Despite struggles with battery power, Hamilton managed to outpace Leclerc and secured third place in a thrilling back-and-forth duel. Hamilton described the fight as “quite a fun battle,” ultimately finishing third and ending his podium drought since November 2024.
Near the race’s conclusion, Antonelli held his nerve despite a late off-track moment that cost him precious seconds. His remarkable win marks the first by an Italian driver since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. An emotional Antonelli reflected: “You made me achieve one of my dreams. Thank you. I want to cry to be honest. I said yesterday I wanted to bring Italy back on top, and today I did.”