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Associated Press

Agence France-Presse

An emotional Kimi Antonelli won a grand prix for the first time on Sunday, when he won the Chinese Grand Prix ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who made his maiden podium for Ferrari.
The 19-year-old Antonelli converted being the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 history into the second-youngest winner in a race that saw both McLarens dramatically fail to start in Shanghai.
The only driver younger than Antonelli to win a grand prix was Max Verstappen, who was 18 when he took his first victory in 2016.
Antonelli briefly lost the lead at the start but once he got back in front he controlled the pace to cruise home to the chequered flag by more than five seconds from Russell. Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari.
“I’m speechless; I’m about to cry to be honest,” Antonelli said as he choked back tears.
“Thank you to the team for helping me to achieve this dream.”

It was an almost flawless drive from the youngster, apart from one heart-fluttering moment when he locked up at the hairpin on his penultimate lap.
But he recovered to avoid nothing more damaging than a small excursion off track.
“I really wanted to bring Italy back to the top and we did today – even if I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end, a flat spot,” Antonelli added.
Early championship leader Russell was full of praise for his young teammate after the dominant Mercedes team secured a one-two for the second race running.
“A huge congratulations to Kimi because it’s always very special to win your first race,” said Russell, whose lead has been cut to four points by Antonelli.
The Italian replaced Hamilton at Mercedes, and the seven-time world champion said he could not be more pleased for the teenager and his old team.
“I’m so, so happy for you, buddy, and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him,” Hamilton said.
“He took my seat obviously, at this great team. So big congratulations to Mercedes.
“They’re really pulling ahead at the moment. We’ve got a lot of work to do to try and keep up.”

Hamilton, as he had done in Saturday’s sprint, got a great start and had taken the lead by the time the teams emerged from the first complex of turns.
Leclerc also launched brilliantly and managed to get past Russell, who started second on the grid.
The top four swapped places multiple times before a safety car on lap 11 brought them all into the pits.
McLaren, Red Bull woe
Once the dust settled and they went racing again, Antonelli led from Hamilton, with Leclerc third and Russell fourth.
By lap 29 Russell had got past both Ferraris and up to second and set off trying to catch his young Italian teammate, who was by now more than seven seconds up the road.
Four-time world champion Verstappen continued Red Bull’s poor start to the new season when he was told to retire his car on lap 46.
Oliver Bearman was fifth in the Haas, followed home by Pierre Gasly (Alpine) and Liam Lawson (RB).
Rounding out the top 10 points scorers were Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Franco Colapinto (Alpine).

Current world champion Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri both failed to start because of separate issues that left McLaren without a car in the race.
Norris had an electrical problem that prevented him getting to the grid.
Piastri did get around to the grid but was pushed back into the garage a few minutes later with a different problem.
“Unfortunately we identified separate issues on both cars which prevented them from starting the Chinese GP,” McLaren said in a statement.
It has been an awful start to the season for the constructors’ world champions.
Last weekend, only one McLaren took part in the opening race in Melbourne after Piastri crashed on his way to the grid, meaning the Australian is yet to race in a grand prix this season.


Kimi Antonelli wins Chinese Grand Prix to become second-youngest Formula 1 victor

Formula 1 cancels races in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia due to conflict in Middle East

Chinese Grand Prix: Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli youngest to take Formula 1 pole position

Formula 1: George Russell wins ‘pretty fun’ sprint race for Mercedes at Chinese Grand Prix

Formula One (F1)

Race winner Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes kisses the trophy as he celebrates winning the Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit on Sunday. Photo: AP

Kimi Antonelli (left) wipes away tears as he stands with Mercedes teammate George Russell, who finished second, after the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Sunday. Photo: EPA

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli stands on his car after winning the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday. Photo: dpa

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton celebrates with Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli on the podium. Photo: Reuters

Hong Kong boss hopes playing at Asian Games helps usher in professional women’s game

Ricardo Rambo leads his Hong Kong women’s side through a training session. Photo: Sun Yeung

Chu Po-yan in action during one of Hong Kong’s two home friendlies against Malaysia last year. Photo: Elson Li

Hong Kong fans create a party atmosphere during the 5-0 win over Malaysia last October. Photo: Elson Li

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton during qualifying in Saudi Arabia in 2025. Photo: Reuters

Kimi Antonelli, who is on pole for the Chinese Grand Prix, said: “My thoughts ... are with the ones that are suffering”. Photo: AP

Sport

Mercedes teammate George Russell finishes second, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who claims his first podium for Ferrari


Mercedes teammate George Russell finishes second, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who claims his first podium for Ferrari.


Kimi Antonelli wins Chinese Grand Prix to become second-youngest Formula 1 victor

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Mercedes teammate George Russell finishes second, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who claims his first podium for Ferrari

Mercedes teammate George Russell finishes second, followed by Lewis Hamilton, who claims his first podium for Ferrari