Kimi Antonelli grabs first-ever win in 2026 Chinese GP

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Chinese GP on March 15, Sunday, marking his first-ever win in Formula 1 history. The 19-year-old became the second-youngest driver to win a Formula 1 race after Max Verstappen.

The 2026 Chinese GP was the second race of the year in F1 calendar. Officially known as the Formula 1 Heineken Chinese Grand Prix 2026, the race was held at the Shanghai International Circuit in Shanghai, China. The 2026 Chinese GP is the first of six sprint-format races of the year. Mercedes driver George Russell won the sprint race on Saturday with Ferrari drivers Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton finishing second and third respectively. Despite finishing fourth in Saturday’s sprint race, Andrea Kimi Antonelli went on to win the 2026 Chinese GP.

The start of Sunday’s race was dramatic as Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton surged into the lead on the opening lap. However, Antonelli delivered a strong performance throughout the race to take victory ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell. With Kimi Antonelli claiming his maiden victory, Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium of the season by finishing third.

The 2026 Chinese GP was a disappointing race for McLaren fans as both drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, were unable to start due to technical issues. Williams driver Alexander Albon faced hydraulic issues with his car before the start of the formation lap, resulting in a DNS (Did Not Start). Aston Martin driver Fernando Alonso retired due to a brake failure, while teammate Lance Stroll crashed out following an on-track accident. Audi driver Gabriel Bortoleto failed to start due to a hydraulic issue, while Red Bull’s Max Verstappen retired after suffering a power unit failure.

With new rules and regulations, the 2026 Formula 1 season has turned cards on the table for many teams. The 2026 Chinese GP demonstrated this over the weekend. The rest of the season could be a roller-coaster ride for teams and provide nail-biting moments for fans. Stay tuned for more.