SHANGHAI — An emotional Kimi Antonelli has won a Formula One grand prix for the first time in China ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who made his maiden podium for Ferrari.
The 19-year-old Antonelli converted being the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history into victory after both McLarens dramatically failed to start the Shanghai race, AFP reported.
Antonelli briefly lost the lead at the start but once he got back in front he controlled the pace to cruise home to the chequered flag by more than five seconds from Russell. Charles Leclerc was fourth in the second Ferrari.
“I’m speechless, I’m about to cry to be honest,” said Antonelli as he choked back tears.
“Thank you to the team for helping me to achieve this dream.”
It was an almost flawless drive from the youngster, apart from one heart-fluttering moment when he locked up at the hairpin on his penultimate lap.
But he recovered to avoid nothing more damaging than a small excursion off track.
“I really wanted to bring Italy back to the top and we did. Even if I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end a flat spot,” Antonelli added.
Early championship leader Russell was full of praise for his young teammate after the dominant Mercedes team secured a one-two for the second race running.
“A huge congratulations to Kimi because it’s always very special to win your first race,” said Russell, whose lead has been cut to four points by Antonelli.
The Italian replaced Hamilton at Mercedes and the seven-time world champion said he could not be more pleased for the teenager and his old team.
“I’m so so happy for you buddy, and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him,” said Hamilton.
“He took my seat obviously, at this great team. So big congratulations to Mercedes.
“They’re really pulling ahead at the moment. We’ve got a lot of work to do to try and keep up.”
Hamilton, as he had done in the sprint, got a great start and had taken the lead by the time the teams emerged from the first complex of turns.
Leclerc also launched brilliantly and managed to get past Russell, who started second on the grid.
