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Mercedes' Antonelli took his maiden pole at just 19 years old in Shanghai
Motorsport photo Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1's youngest polesitter after setting the fastest time in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, as George Russell qualified second despite encountering a powertrain issue early in Q3. While attempting to clinch back-to-back poles, Russell came to a stop on track and, while he was able to get the car going again, he was unable to change gear. The Briton thus had to limp back to the pits, opening the door to a different polesitter this time around.
Read Also: F1 Chinese GP: George Russell outduels Ferrari drivers on way to sprint win Antonelli opened his account in Q3 with a 1m32. 322s, and later improved to a 1m32. 064s to set a difficult benchmark for the other drivers to beat.
Lewis Hamilton initially got closest and set a time 0. 315s off, but Russell was able to get back onto the road for one final last-minute lap. Thus, Antonelli faced an agonising wait – one that paid off as Russell went 0.
222s slower to lock out the front row for Mercedes . Hamilton and Charles Leclerc claimed the second row for Ferrari , while the McLarens were both on row three; Oscar Piastri led Norris by 0. 06s in the battle for fifth on the grid.