Kimi Antonelli has written his name into Formula 1 history books, claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. The Mercedes youngster crossed the line 5.515 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell, while Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium for Ferrari.

The Shanghai International Circuit witnessed a historic moment as 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli became the first rookie since 2022 to win on his maiden Formula 1 victory. Starting from pole position, Antonelli controlled the race from the front, managing tire degradation perfectly in the tricky Chinese conditions.

The race was characterized by intense battles throughout the field, with the Mercedes duo displaying superior pace. George Russell finished second, completing a Mercedes 1-2 finish, while Lewis Hamilton's third place marked a significant milestone for Ferrari.

Final Race Results

Lewis Hamilton's third-place finish marks his first podium for Ferrari, a significant milestone in the seven-time world champion's career with the Italian team. After joining Ferrari in 2026, this result validates the team's progress under the new regulations.

"This is special," Hamilton said after the race. "The team has worked incredibly hard, and to be on the podium in our early days together shows we're heading in the right direction."

The result shakes up the early championship standings, with Antonelli closing the gap to teammate Russell. Mercedes now leads the constructors' championship by a significant margin.

Formula 1 heads to Japan for the Suzuka round on March 22-24, 2026. The iconic circuit will be a true test of the new 2026 regulations, particularly the active aerodynamics system through the legendary Degner curves and Spoon section.