Kimi Antonelli’s name is now forever marked down in history as the second-youngest ever Grand Prix winner, and Lewis Hamilton showed why he is a world champion.
The drama began before light’s out yet again this week. Both McLarens were out of the race with separate issues. All whilst Alex Albon’s Williams car had some hydraulic issues and was forced to retire. Gabriel Bortoleto joined in the fun too, his Audi also having hydraulic issues.
Lights Out
Four cars retiring before the race even started didn’t outshine the drama of the race. Both Ferraris showed a strong start, fighting their way through the Mercedes. Hamilton took the lead from polesitter Antonelli. Although the Ferraris showed a good start, Antonelli was not letting anyone take this win from him today. He outbreaked Hamilton and that silver rocket took the lead once more.
Isack Hadjar took a spin whilst Cadillac had an intra-team collision. Max Verstappen struggled to get his Red Bull off the racing line and landed in P10. He had a fight on his hands today. Thanks to McLarens not starting today, big points were up for grabs.
Lance Stroll did not have the best first laps of the race, and a battery issue caused the car to come to a stop on track, forcing him to retire. This brought a safety car into play. Taking the opportunity whilst it was there, all those on medium tyres brought themselves into the pits to get onto the hard tyres. A one-stop strategy showing itself so early on.
No Rest for Russell
Although Antonelli got himself a great safety car restart and flew away from the pack, teammate George Russell did not have as great of a time.
“We’ve got no ***** grip!” said George Russell, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team Driver
And no grip he had indeed, locking up in the corner. Former teammate Lewis Hamilton showed his appreciation for this and took the P4 position from Russell.
Antonelli Is Away
The new top ten settled down after the dramatic safety car restart and the Dutchman, who’d had his complaints about the car, began the climb up the field. Antonelli created a gap for himself and minded his own business whilst the showdown of the century took place behind him.
Ferarris Fun
Russell had front-row seats to the Ferrari switcheroo, but he could only sit around and watch for so long. He took a chance to pounce on Hamilton and secured the position. With one Ferrari done, his eyes were set on Charles Leclerc.
Russell grabbed the position from Leclerc, and the battle continued between the two Ferraris. Hamilton called out on the radio:
“I have no power…!”
The two drivers were battling for the podium, and the fight only continued throughout the rest of the race.
“That is actually quite a fun battle,” Remarked Charles Leclerc, Scuderia Ferrari HP F1 Team Driver
Contact Made!
Shortly after Franco Colapinto’s pit stop, Esteban Ocon tried his luck against the Argentines’ cold tyres. He did not have much luck, and contact between the drivers was made. With a front wing damaged and only some laps left on the clock, Colapinto and Ocon continue the race. A 10-second time penalty was on the board for Ocon.
Although Ocon and Colapinto’s collision did not end their race, a further two drivers retired from the race, making it seven DNFs in total. Fernando Alonso retired due to vibrations from the car, and Verstappen’s car started to slow.
Kimi Antonelli Wins The Chinese Grand Prix!
What an amazing start to the season Mercedes have had! After Antonelli’s tough 2025 season, this is a well-deserved first win. Russell followed in behind his teammate, giving himself the P2 position. A deserved podium finish after the fight he showed throughout the Grand Prix.
Hamilton finally got his first-ever podium finish with Ferrari, teammate Charles Leclerc in the P4 position.