Hamilton proves his legendary status by dominating Kimi's confidence, securing victory decisively!

Lewis Hamilton gave a heartwarming message of congratulations to Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes teenager became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history at the Chinese Grand Prix. Italian driver Antonelli, 19, took advantage of George Russell ’s mechanical issues in qualifying to pip his teammate to pole position in Shanghai by two-tenths of a second. Hamilton set an impressive lap to finish third, ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc , and spoke glowingly about Antonelli – who replaced him at Mercedes last year - after his first grand prix pole.

Antonelli beat Sebastian Vettel’s record for the youngest-ever pole-sitter, set at Monza in 2008 at the age of 21. ‘I have to say a big congratulations to this big lad here, to Kimi,” Hamilton said, at the post-qualifying press conference. “It’s an amazing achievement.

He took my seat and he hit it hard from the get-go! It’s really great to see him progressing - he really deserves it. ” Upbeat after a positive top-three finish in the sprint earlier in the day, Hamilton will be eyeing his first podium finish for Ferrari in a grand prix on Sunday, at a track where he has tasted victory six times in the past.

“It was a really tough qualifying, a bit harder with the wind, so gusty today,” he added. “These guys [Mercedes duo] put in some great laps but I’m really happy to be up here. They’ve been rapid so far this season.