Kimi Antonelli Wins First Formula 1 Race at Chinese Grand Prix

Mercedes teenager delivers dominant drive as Hamilton returns Ferrari to podium and McLaren suffers double DNS.

Mar. 15, 2026 at 6:29pm

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Kimi Antonelli controlled the Chinese Grand Prix to pick up his maiden victory in Formula 1 as Mercedes dominated once more, while Lewis Hamilton returned to the podium, and McLaren endured a nightmare.

Why it matters

Antonelli's victory at just 19 years old makes him the second-youngest winner in F1 history, behind only Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. It validates Mercedes' faith in the young driver and shows he has the composure and talent to compete at the highest level. Hamilton's first podium with Ferrari also marks an important milestone in his career as he looks to help the team return to the top.

The details

Antonelli surged clear at the start and was never seriously challenged, establishing an insurmountable lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. Russell briefly fell behind the Ferraris at the restart but was able to reclaim second place. Hamilton and Charles Leclerc engaged in a fierce battle for the final podium spot, with Hamilton eventually coming out on top to claim his 203rd career podium. Meanwhile, McLaren suffered a disastrous weekend, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to even start the race due to electrical issues.

  • Antonelli claimed his maiden F1 victory on March 15, 2026.
  • Hamilton took his first podium with Ferrari in the Chinese Grand Prix.

The players

Kimi Antonelli

A 19-year-old Mercedes driver who claimed his first Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the second-youngest winner in F1 history.

Lewis Hamilton

The veteran driver returned Ferrari to the podium for the first time since joining the team, finishing third in the Chinese Grand Prix.

Mercedes

The dominant Formula 1 team that has backed Antonelli's rise through the ranks and provided him with the car to claim his maiden victory.

McLaren

The reigning F1 champions suffered a disastrous weekend in China, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failing to even start the race due to electrical issues.

Toto Wolff

The Mercedes team boss who expressed unwavering faith in Antonelli's abilities and said the young driver has proven his doubters wrong.

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What they’re saying

“Right from his days in karting, we have known that he has all the talent necessary to develop into a Grand Prix winner. His family, along with the team, have done a brilliant job nurturing that talent and today shows that. There have been so many doubters writing him off, saying it was too early, that he doesn't have the composure necessary, and Kimi has proven them all wrong. This is just the start for him; he will keep his feet on the ground and keep working hard but he can definitely enjoy himself this evening.”

— Toto Wolff, Mercedes team boss

“I'm super, super happy. It's such an incredible day and very grateful for achieving my first win. The team did an incredible job. The car is super quick and it's allowing us to fight for wins. I'm really happy because they also helped me to achieve one of my big dreams. Yeah, just super, super happy.”

— Kimi Antonelli

“I started this voyage and this dream of moving to Ferrari and being on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I had hoped. After a difficult year last year, to be able to be a part of developing with them, working with them over the past year, gives me huge pride and it's such a privilege to be a part of this brand. They provided us a really solid car.”

— Lewis Hamilton

What’s next

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The takeaway

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