Kimi Antonelli claimed a stunning victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday, March 15, 2026, marking his first Formula 1 win. The young Italian driver expressed his disbelief after the race, stating, “I have no words. I want to thank my team so much for allowing me to achieve this victory. I am very happy to have been able to achieve another triumph for Italy.”
The race wasn’t without drama for Antonelli, who admitted to a late scare. “I got a bit of a heart attack when I locked up my tire at the end,” he said. Despite the moment, he was able to hold on for the win in what he described as “great race.”
George Russell finished in second place, congratulating Antonelli on his breakthrough performance. “First of all, I want to congratulate Kimi on the victory. It’s always a special moment,” Russell told reporters. “It was a huge fight with Ferrari, and we again had a very bad start. At the end of the day, we overcame them again.”
Lewis Hamilton secured his first podium finish with Ferrari, coming in third. He was effusive in his praise for Antonelli, saying, “Big congratulations to Kimi. I’m so happy for you, buddy. It’s an honor for me to be able to share this moment with you on the podium.” Hamilton also acknowledged Antonelli’s role in the team’s future, stating, “Kimi took the place in this great team after my departure, congratulations to Mercedes.”
Hamilton described the race as one of the most enjoyable of his career. “We had a great start, and it was a race I enjoyed the most in a very long time, maybe even throughout my entire career,” he said. “The battles with Charles were amazing, very fair.” This result marks a positive step for Hamilton as he adjusts to his new team and aims to compete for championships.
