“Mercedes’ strong pace early in the season makes the Chinese Grand Prix a highly anticipated race”
Italian rookie Kimi Antonelli made history by becoming the youngest driver ever to secure pole position in Formula 1. The 19-year-old set a fastest lap of 1:32.064 during qualifying at the Shanghai International Circuit, breaking the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel.
Driving for Mercedes-AMG Petronas, Antonelli’s teammate George Russell qualified second, giving Mercedes a front-row lockout despite some technical issues. Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will start third and fourth, while McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris claimed fifth and sixth. Max Verstappen struggled with handling problems and will start eighth.
This pole is Antonelli’s first in a full Grand Prix and the first for an Italian driver since 2009. Antonelli described the achievement as “just the beginning” and aims to turn it into a race victory.
With Mercedes showing strong pace early in the season, the Chinese Grand Prix promises an exciting race as Antonelli looks to convert his historic pole into a win.