Antonelli Lights Up Chinese Hearts as McLaren Races to Victory
Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli stands on his f1 car celebrating after winning at Shanghai International Circuit during the race at the F1 Chinese Grand Prix, Shanghai, China. Peter Li/Nexpher via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Kimi Antonelli won the Chinese Grand Prix from pole to become the second youngest race winner in Formula One in another Mercedes one-two while world champions McLaren were unable to start the Shanghai race on a nightmare Sunday for the world champions. Antonelli claimed his first win in his 26th career race despite a late mistake ahead of George Russell and the Ferrari pair of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.
Antonelli became the youngest pole sitter on Saturday at 19 years 201 days and is now the second youngest winner, behind Max Verstappen who was 18 years 228 days when he won in Spain 10 years ago. He is the first Italian in two decades to win a race since Giancarlo Fisichella on March 19, 2006, in Malaysia. Mercedes continued their early season dominance in the wake of sweeping rule changes after Russell had won from Antonelli last week in Australia.
Seven-time champion Hamilton got his first grand prix podium at last since joining the Scuderia from Mercedes last year. Plenty of emotions "I’m speechless. I’m about to cry to be honest.
Thank you so much to my team. They helped me to achieve this dream," Antonelli said before being overcome by emotions. "I said yesterday I really wanted to bring Italy back on top and we did it today.
Even though I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end with a bit of a flat spot, but it was a good race. " Hamilton was delighted about his first return to the podium since November 2024, saying: "I had so much fun. We had a great start.
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