Motor racing-Antonelli takes first F1 win with Mercedes one-two in China

Ferrari NV

15/03/2026 08:41

SHANGHAI, March 15 (Reuters) - Kimi Antonelli celebrated the first win of his Formula One career on Sunday after leading championship-leading teammate George Russell in a Mercedes one-two in China from pole position.

The 19-year-old Italian driver became the second-youngest race winner in the sport's history after four-times world champion Max Verstappen, who took his first victory with Red Bull at 18 in 2016.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished a distant third, the seven-times world champion's first podium since he joined Ferrari last year, with teammate Charles Leclerc fourth after a lively battle between the two.

McLaren's reigning world champion Lando Norris and teammate Oscar Piastri both failed to start due to problems with their cars.

 (Writing by Alan Baldwin in London, editing by Peter Rutherford)

 ((alan.baldwin@thomsonreuters.com; +442075427933;))