Teenage sensation becomes youngest Italian winner in two decades after McLaren disaster
By Andrew Benson, F1 CorrespondentSunday, 15 March 2026
SHANGHAI — Kimi Antonelli announced himself as Formula 1’s newest superstar with a commanding victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second-youngest race winner in the sport’s history just 24 hours after claiming pole position.
The 19-year-old Italian, who only made his F1 debut this season, led a Mercedes one-two ahead of teammate George Russell to cap a remarkable weekend at the Shanghai International Circuit. His triumph marks the first victory for an Italian driver since Giancarlo Fisichella’s Malaysian Grand Prix win in 2006 — nearly two decades ago.
Only Max Verstappen, who won his maiden race aged 18 at Barcelona in 2016, has stood atop an F1 podium at a younger age than Antonelli.
“I don’t have words,” an emotional Antonelli admitted in his post-race interview, fighting back tears as the magnitude of his achievement sank in. “This is a dream come true.”
Race of Attrition
The victory was all the more significant given the chaos that unfolded behind him. Both McLarens — pre-race favourites Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri — failed to make the start due to separate electrical failures, eliminating two of Antonelli’s strongest rivals before the lights went out.
Norris never reached the grid with his electrical issue, while Piastri was pushed off the formation lap when his car refused to start. Williams’ Alex Albon and Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto also failed to take the start, reducing the field before the race had begun.
Antonelli briefly lost the lead at the start to Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, which surged from third on the grid. But the young Mercedes driver reclaimed top spot down the back straight on lap two and never looked back.
Russell, who retains his championship lead by four points over his rookie teammate, had to settle for second after a compromised race. A safety car period following Lance Stroll’s retirement saw Russell lose positions during the pit stop phase, dropping behind both Ferraris before fighting his way back through.
Ferrari Thriller
The battle for third provided the day’s most compelling entertainment as Hamilton and Charles Leclerc engaged in a relentless intra-team duel spanning more than 20 laps.
The seven-time world champion and his Monegasque teammate swapped positions repeatedly, with Leclerc briefly seizing second on lap 23 before Hamilton reclaimed it. Their wheel-to-wheel combat — featuring side-by-side moments through the opening corners — allowed Russell to close the gap and eventually pass both on laps 27 and 29 respectively.
“That’s actually quite a fun battle,” Leclerc remarked dryly over team radio at one stage.
Hamilton, who secured his first podium for Ferrari since joining the Scuderia, described it as “one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had for a very long time.”
Leclerc finished fourth, with Oliver Bearman delivering an impressive fifth place for Haas. Pierre Gasly took sixth for Alpine ahead of Liam Lawson’s Racing Bulls, while Isack Hadjar, Carlos Sainz, and Franco Colapinto completed the points positions.
Reigning four-time champion Max Verstappen retired with 10 laps remaining, adding to Red Bull’s difficult start to the season. Fernando Alonso also withdrew, the veteran Spaniard suffering from severe vibrations from his Honda engine — the same issue Aston Martin had warned could cause “permanent nerve damage” to drivers.
Standings and What’s Next
Russell leads the drivers’ championship with 43 points, four clear of Antonelli. Hamilton sits third with 28 points.
Formula 1 now heads to Japan for the Suzuka Grand Prix on 27-29 March, the final race before an enforced month-long break following the cancellation of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds.
Final Classification — Chinese Grand Prix:
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
- George Russell (Mercedes) +5.5s
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
- Oliver Bearman (Haas)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
- Carlos Sainz (Williams)
- Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
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