Nineteen-year-old Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured a monumental win for Mercedes in Shanghai, becoming the first Italian driver to stand atop the podium in nearly two decades. The race concluded with a dominant Mercedes one-two finish as George Russell took second, while Lewis Hamilton achieved his first podium for Ferrari since his high-profile move in 2025. Italian political leaders have hailed the young driver as a national hero following his record-breaking performance.
Historic Italian Victory
Antonelli's win is the first for an Italian driver in Formula 1 in approximately 20 years.
Mercedes Dominance
The team secured a one-two finish with George Russell in second, placing Russell at the top of the championship standings.
Hamilton's Ferrari Milestone
Lewis Hamilton finished third, marking his first podium appearance since joining Scuderia Ferrari at the start of the 2025 season.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix for Mercedes on Sunday, leading team-mate George Russell home in a one-two finish and becoming the first Italian driver to win a Formula 1 race in nearly 20 years. Lewis Hamilton, racing for Ferrari in his first season with the Italian constructor, finished third to claim his first podium since leaving Mercedes. The result marked Mercedes' second one-two finish of the 2026 season. Antonelli crossed the line in tears, having started from pole position the previous day after setting the fastest qualifying time. The victory drew immediate reactions from Italian political figures and the Mercedes team principal.
Antonelli joined Mercedes for the 2026 Formula 1 season, taking the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton, who moved to Ferrari. The Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai is a round of the Formula 1 World Championship. According to web search results, this was Mercedes' second one-two finish of the 2026 season, indicating the team entered the Shanghai race weekend with strong momentum.
Toto Wolff, Mercedes team principal, described himself as overwhelmed by Antonelli's maiden victory and by the team's result in China, according to Reuters. Antonelli had also set a landmark on Saturday, becoming the youngest-ever pole-sitter in Formula 1 history. After the race, Antonelli was visibly emotional. „I have realized a dream” — Andrea Kimi Antonelli via ANSA.it
Hamilton's third-place finish ended a wait for his first podium result since joining Ferrari. The seven-time world champion had moved to the Maranello-based constructor ahead of the 2026 season, one of the most high-profile driver transfers in recent Formula 1 history. His podium in Shanghai represented a significant early milestone for his tenure at Ferrari, according to Reuters. The result placed Hamilton on the podium alongside the driver who replaced him at Mercedes, in a race that underlined the competitive positions of both constructors early in the season.
Italian politicians reacted swiftly to Antonelli's victory. Ignazio La Russa, President of the Italian Senate, stated that the triumph had been awaited for 20 years and noted that Antonelli had been raised in Aci Team Italia. Antonio Tajani, Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, offered congratulations, saying Antonelli had been consecrated among the greats of Italian sport. „Congratulazioni ad Antonelli, consacrato tra i grandi del nostro sport” (Congratulations to Antonelli, consecrated among the greats of our sport) — Antonio Tajani via ANSA.it Paolo Zangrillo, Minister for Public Administration in the Meloni government, called Antonelli predestined and expressed gratitude for the inspiration the young driver provides to Italy. „Grazie per i sogni che darai all'Italia, sei predestinato” (Thank you for the dreams that you will give to Italy, you are predestined) — Paolo Zangrillo via ANSA.it
2026 Chinese Grand Prix — Top 3: Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 1:2 George Russell (Mercedes); Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 3:0
Mercedes, Ferrari