Kimi Antonelli Wins Maiden F1 Grand Prix in China

Mercedes' Antonelli claims first F1 victory in dominant display

Kimi Antonelli secures first F1 win at Chinese Grand Prix, beating teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.

Antonelli dominates Chinese GP, becomes second-youngest F1 winner ever...

Kimi Antonelli's “big dream” came true in China – the 19-year-old Mercedes star won his first F1 Grand Prix.

Antonelli, who took over Lewis Hamilton's seat, dominated the Shanghai International Circuit, securing a stunning maiden victory.

“The team did an incredible job,” Antonelli told reporters.

“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.”

Kimi Antonelli made history as the youngest pole-sitter, and turned it into a win – but Max Verstappen still holds the record as the youngest F1 winner.

Verstappen was just 18 when he won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix for Red Bull, a record that still stands.

Kimi Antonelli had a bit of a rocky start, losing the lead to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari at the beginning of the Chinese Grand Prix. However, he quickly regained control and dominated the rest of the race, finishing over five seconds ahead of his Mercedes teammate George Russell.

This impressive comeback secured Antonelli's first-ever F1 win, making him the second-youngest race winner in Formula 1 history, just behind Max Verstappen. Antonelli's victory also marked a historic moment for Mercedes, with the team securing a 1-2 finish.

“The start is still our weak point and, to be fair, I didn't go with, you know, a great confidence because my two previous starts were really bad,” admitted Antonelli, who was second behind Russell in the season-opener in Melbourne.

“Obviously, I covered a little bit too much on the inside and left too much space on the outside. So I probably need to review that.

“But the pace was still good, and I managed to bring it home.”

Toto Wolff is thrilled with Kimi Antonelli's performance, saying he's repaid the team's faith in elevating him to the seat formerly held by Lewis Hamilton. Wolff was initially criticized for fast-tracking Antonelli into F1, but the youngster has proved doubters wrong with his impressive win in China.

KIMI ANTONELLI IS AN F1 GRAND PRIX WINNER! 🥇 pic.twitter.com/MHyCkYdg8b

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 15, 2026

Wolff praised Antonelli's calm and composed driving, saying he's “probably a little bit better than the trajectory I thought.” The Mercedes boss was emotional watching Antonelli, George Russell, and Lewis Hamilton on the podium, calling it one of his best moments in F1.

“It is rare I am overwhelmed, but I am at the moment,” said Wolff.

“The win has maybe come earlier than I expected. Last year, we said that it's going to be a very difficult year with many ups and downs and mistakes,” added Wolff.

KIMI. ANTONELLI. 🙌

You did it! 👏#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/1MGzTVRQxB

— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2026

“Then, bam, second race. He has controlled it in the front; he has driven very well today, so he's probably a little bit better than the trajectory I thought.

“He was actually quite calm and jovial before the race, but then, on the grid, you see the eyes.”