New Headline: Kimi Antónelli Makes Historic First Run in Formula One at Age 19!
Italian Formula One driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Team Merecedes drives during practice ahead of the Forumula One Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit. Poly Fei/SOPA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Teenager Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole sitter in Formula One history when he topped qualifying in China from Mercedes team-mate George Russell who had a problem-marred session after winning the sprint race earlier on Saturday. At age 19 and 201 days Antonelli dethroned Sebastian Vettel who was 21 years 73 days when he got pole in Monza in 2008 for Toro Rosso.
Antonelli was first on the grid at a sprint race in Miami in his maiden F1 season last year but pole positions only count for proper grands prix. "It was a pretty clean session, so really happy. No mistakes and looking forward to the race tomorrow," the youngster said.
Antonelli reached the milestone in his 26th race when he clocked 1 minute 32. 064 seconds on the 5. 451 kilometres Shanghai International Circuit.
He was . 222 of a second ahead of Russell who was happy about "damage limitation" and said in the direction of Antonelli: "Well done to this guy on his first pole. " Antonelli said: "I saw he had the issue and tried to keep my focus to stay calm and deliver a good lap.
" Mercedes kept their early season dominance after Russell had won the season-opener in Australia from Antonelli and the sprint in China from Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton earlier Saturday. But it was nervy afternoon for Russell who first reported a broken front wing at the end of Q2 and then stopped on the track at the start of Q3. He managed to get back into the pits where the team won a race against time to get him out for one timed lap which was enough to claim a first row spot alongside Antonelli for Sunday's race.