Kimi Antonelli gained his maiden grand prix as Lewis Hamilton claimed his first Ferrari podium after an exhilarating battle for the rostrum with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc in China.
Antonelli dominated many of the race to grow to be the second youngest race-winner in F1 historical past at 19 years and 202 days – solely Max Verstappen was youthful at 18 years and 202 days.
George Russell completed second to make it two Mercedes one-twos to begin the brand new F1 season however sees his early Drivers’ Championship lead reduce to a few factors from Antonelli.
“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,” stated Antonelli, who’s the primary Italian race-winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.
“We are just at the beginning, we keep pushing. George is an incredible driver, very strong on all aspects, so it’s going to take a lot to beat him.”
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc go head-to-head of their Ferrari’s on the Chinese language GP
Russell was concerned in an thrilling combat for the rostrum positions with Hamilton and Leclerc all through the race, the place F1’s new racing techniques and vitality deployment modes delivered loads of drama.
The Ferrari pair got here near contact on a number of events however simply prevented a collision as Hamilton got here out on prime to take his first podium since November 2024.
There was drama even earlier than the lights went out when the McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri failed to begin because of energy unit-related points.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri focus on what occurred after each McLarens failed to begin the Chinese language Grand Prix because of energy unit-related points
Piastri is but to finish a Grand Prix racing lap, having crashed out of his residence occasion in Australia final week, whereas Norris suffered his first DNS of his F1 profession. Audi’s Gabriel Bortoleto and Williams’ Alex Albon additionally didn’t take the beginning.
Verstappen was operating in sixth till {an electrical} downside brought about him to retire with 10 laps to go and each Aston Martins additionally retired with solely 15 vehicles ending the Chinese language Grand Prix.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Max Verstappen retires from the Chinese language GP after electrical failure in his Crimson Bull
Haas’ Oliver Bearman completed fifth following a feisty mid-race battle along with his team-mate Esteban Ocon, plus Alpine’s Franco Colapinto and Pierre Gasly, who was sixth.
Racing Bulls’ Liam Lawson was seventh, Crimson Bull’s Isack Hadjar recovered to eighth after spinning by himself on the primary lap and Williams’ Carlos Sainz held off Colapinto to take ninth and rating his first factors of 2026.
Antonelli runs away from feisty podium combat
The highest 4 completed the place they began the Chinese language Grand Prix – however the second spherical of the 2026 F1 season was removed from simple.
As soon as once more, the Ferraris acquired flying begins and Hamilton took full benefit by going across the outdoors of the Mercedes drivers as Leclerc tucked into third behind Antonelli in second.
Hamilton solely led one lap although as Antonelli blasted previous on the lengthy again straight and Russell additionally overtook each Ferraris to revive the Mercedes one-two.
However, a Security Automotive for Lance Stroll’s stricken Aston Martin gave Ferrari one other alternative to assault Russell, who had a poor restart on chilly tyres after the leaders pitted for brand new onerous tyres, dropping out to each Hamilton and Leclerc.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
George Russell goes backwards as each Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc overtake the Mercedes driver on the Chinese language GP
Hamilton tried to catch Antonelli however was unable to place sufficient strain on {the teenager}, who slowly pulled away. Equally to Saturday’s Dash, it seemed like Hamilton had taken an excessive amount of out of his tyres as Leclerc attacked his team-mate, with the pair buying and selling locations a number of occasions all the way down to Flip 1 and later across the lap at Flip 14 – each drivers strategically utilizing their electrical deployment for further energy in numerous methods.
The Ferrari battling meant Russell was capable of first move Hamilton at half distance on Lap 28 after the British driver misplaced out to his team-mate, then Russell dived down the within of Leclerc two laps later and left the Ferraris to battle for third.
A mistake from Leclerc on the Flip 14 hairpin noticed him run vast, which Hamilton pounced because the pair went aspect by aspect once more by means of the primary sector time and time once more. Ultimately, Hamilton acquired away with higher tyre put on to take third and was delighted to finish his await a primary Ferrari podium.
Please use Chrome browser for a extra accessible video participant
Kimi Antonelli claims his debut win for Mercedes as he wins the Chinese language GP whereas Lewis Hamilton picks up his first podium for Ferrari
“I had so much fun. We had a great start. I wasn’t able to keep these guys behind, but to stay in the fight, it was one of the most enjoyable races that I’ve had in a long, long time, if ever,” stated Hamilton.
“The fact that the cars are the way they are this year… that battle with Charles at the end was awesome. Great wheel-to-wheel battle, very fair, and just what we want. We’ve got to keep pushing.
“I feel there was one second we did contact nevertheless it was refined, only a kiss, so it is okay. However that is what it is about, it is about robust racing.
Method 1 subsequent heads to the enduring Suzuka Circuit for the Japanese Grand Prix on March 27-29 stay on Sky Sports activities F1. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
