Credited from: ALJAZEERA
Kimi Antonelli made history by winning the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming Formula One's second-youngest race winner at just 19 years old. Antonelli, who began from pole position, initially lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton but quickly regained control of the race. He finished with a commanding lead, securing a spot in the record books alongside only Max Verstappen, who won his first race at 18, according to South China Morning Post and Reuters.
In a spectacular display for the Mercedes team, Antonelli's teammate George Russell finished in second place, marking another strong performance for the team early in the season. Hamilton finished third, securing his first podium for Ferrari after moving from his previous team. This race also culminated in a one-two finish for Mercedes, following Russell's earlier success in the Australian opener, according to Al Jazeera and Times of India.
Notably, both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, faced technical difficulties that prevented them from starting the race, a significant setback for the reigning champions. This incident marked a tough weekend for McLaren, who are attempting to establish a competitive edge in the current season, as reported by Reuters and South China Morning Post.
Following the race, Antonelli expressed his overwhelming joy over the win, stating, “Thank you so much. You made me achieve one of my dreams,” highlighting the emotional significance of his achievement as the first Italian winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. His steadiness in control throughout the race underlines his status as a rising star in Formula 1, according to Al Jazeera and Times of India.