Fabulous Andrea Kimi Antonelli! The Italian took victory in the Chinese Grand Prix, marking a historic success. The 19-year-old Italian crossed the finish line ahead of teammate Russell, giving Mercedes a stunning one-two. After twenty years he is the first Italian driver to win a Formula 1 World Championship race, the last being Giancarlo Fisichella, who won the Malaysian Grand Prix on 19 March 2006.
During the second round of the Formula 1 World Championship, which began with a regular start but with several twists already in the first laps, Antonelli started from pole position – achieved the previous day with an extraordinary lap that made him the youngest poleman in the history of Formula 1.
At the start, however, the Bolognese was immediately overtaken by Lewis Hamilton in the Ferrari and by the other Maranello car driven by Charles Leclerc. Antonelli’s reaction was not long in coming. Already on the second lap the Italian launched the decisive attack, overtaking Hamilton and regaining the lead of the race. Meanwhile teammate George Russell managed to climb up to second place, completing a provisional Mercedes one-two in the early stages of the race.
Even before the start, the race had seen two important absences: the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris did not start from the grid due to technical problems. The two drivers should have occupied the third row, but were forced to abandon the race. Third place went to Luis Hamilton and fourth to Leclerc.
For Antonelli, just 19 and a half years old, the victory in China represents not only the first career success but also the definitive confirmation of his extraordinary talent, already glimpsed with the pole position the previous day.