Andrea Kimi Antonelli in pole position with Mercedes in the Chinese Grand Prix, on the Shanghai circuit, the second round of the 2026 F1 World Championship. The driver from Romagna – at 19 years, 6 months and 18 days – becomes the youngest poleman in history (beating Vettel’s record, on pole at 21 years, 2 months and 11 days) and brings Italy back to first place in qualifying after almost 17 years: the last to do so was Giancarlo Fisichella with Force India at Spa 2009. The 19-year-old from Bologna stopped the clock at a time of 1’32″064, 0″222 ahead of his teammate George Russell, who was slowed down by a gearbox problem and made just one attempt in Q3. Second row all Ferrari with Lewis Hamilton (+0″351) ahead of Charles Leclerc (+0″364). Followed by the McLarens of Oscar Piastri (+0″486) and Lando Norris (+0″544). Pierre Gasly (Alpine), Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) and Oliver Bearman (Haas) complete the top ten.
Antonelli: “It was a very clean session and I’m very happy”
«It was a very clean session and I am very happy. I can’t wait to start ahead of everyone in tomorrow’s race. I knew George (Russell, ed.) had a problem but I remained calm.” These are the words of Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) after the pole position in the Chinese Grand Prix, the second round of the 2026 F1 World Championship.