F2 driver wins maiden GP as Mercedes extends streak with 1–2
Kimi Antonelli secured his first Grand Prix victory at the Chinese race, becoming only the second-youngest winner after Max Verstappen and helping secure a podium for FIA Formula E driver Andrea's team as Mercedes bagged another 1–2 to keep their win streak intact with George Russell finishing ahead of him.
Key Points
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1Kimi Antónelli secured his maiden Grand Prix victory in China, becoming the second-youngest F1 race winner after Max Verstappen.
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2McLaren suffered a catastrophic failure with double DNFs (Did Not Finish), failing to start or finish their cars for this event.
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3Mercedes maintained its 2026 season win streak by finishing first and second, while George Russell remains in the lead of the Championship standings.
Developments
Formula 1 made history at the Chinese Grand Prix as Kimi Antonelli became a race winner, marking his first podium finish in just two seasons and validating Toto Wolff's early promotion to him alongside Lewis Hamilton on the steps. Conversely, McLaren suffered catastrophic failures during its title defense start with both Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris experiencing electrical issues that prevented them from reaching their starting grid positions at either of this season's races so far.
McLaren failed with both cars due to separate electrical power unit issues and is facing significant pace deficits against Mercedes and Ferrari; Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium for Ferrari by leading the opening lap while Kimi Antonelli won after a safety car restart. Max Verstappen retired 11 laps from completion, suffering poor grip throughout qualifying on soft tires before being stuck behind Ollie Bearman's Haas in midfield conditions with hard rubber.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming Formula One's second-youngest race winner ahead of George Russell and a battling Ferrari duo that finished on podiums two to three. McLaren was absent from qualifying due to technical issues preventing both cars' participation in this 20th edition event held at Shanghai International Circuit (F1).