SHANGHAI (CINA) (ITALPRESS) – Andrea Kimi Antonelli wins the Grand Prix of China, second season appointment of Formula 1 2026. The Mercedes driver, who precedes teammate George Russell, is the first Italian to climb the highest step of the podium at twenty years from the last tricolor success plated Giancarlo Fisichella.
Third place for Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari, which wins the internal duel with Charles Leclerc (fourth) and wins the first podium from his arrival in Maranello. Fifth place for the Haas of Oliver Bearman, which precedes the Alpine of Pierre Gasly, sixth at the finish line, Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), seventh and eighth respectively. Many retreats before and during the race on the Shanghai circuit. The two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and the world champion Lando Norris do not leave for technical problems, but among the absent in the grid there are also Bortoleto (Audi) and Albon (Williams). During the 56 laps, Max Verstappen (Red Bull) and Fernando Alonso’s Aston Martin and Lance Stroll were also raised.
LE DICHIARAZIONI
“I’m speechless, I’m about to cry. Thank you very much to my team because it helped me
realize this dream. I’m really happy, I said yesterday that I wanted to bring Italy to the top and we did it” Antonelli said, after the victory in the Grand Prix of China – “I came a little heart attack towards the end with the locking towards the end, but it was
a nice race – he added – It was not a simple start, but at the end the step was good and we managed to win. Fight for the title? We are only at the beginning, George is an incredible driver, it will take a lot to beat him. Let us focus on the next races and we will see at the end of the year,” he concluded.
“Compliments to Kimi, it is always very special to win the first race. He’s driving fantastically, I’m happy to be on the podium with him. It was a tough battle, we left badly, but we did double again: we could not ask better” said George Russell, after the second place in the China Formula 1 Grand Prix.
“We left very well, I tried to keep the Mercedes behind but it was still one of the most pleasant races for me. Even with Charles there was a very fun and correct fight, a fantastic battle. We touched but lightly, but this is the nature of racing, we must fight. I have to say a huge thank you to Ferrari for bringing us back here. It is not exactly the position we would like, but we have a great base on which to build, we must push” said Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, commenting on the return to the podium with the third place in the China Grand Prix.
ORDINE D’ARRIVO
1. Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Ita) Mercedes in 1h33’15′607 at the average speed of 196.26 km/h 2. George Russell (Gbr) Mercedes to 5′′515
3. Lewis Hamilton (Gbr) Ferrari 25′′267
4. Charles Leclerc (Mon) Ferrari 28′′894
5. Oliver Bearman (Gbr) Haas 57′′268
6. Pierre Gasly (Fra) Alpine 59′′647
7. Liam Lawson (Nzl) Racing Bulls 1’20′′588
8. Isack Hadjar (Fra) Red Bull 1’27′′247
9. Carlos Sainz (Esp) Williams 1 round
10. Franco Colapinto (Arg) Alpine 1 round
11. Nico Hulkenberg (Ger) Audi 1 round
12. Arvid Lindblad (Gbr) Racing Bulls 1 lap
13. Valtteri Bottas (Fin) Cadillac 1 round
14. Esteban Ocon (Fra) Haas 1 round
15. Sergio Perez (Mex) Cadillac 1 round
RIGHTS
Max Verstappen (Ned) Red Bull
Lance Stroll (Can) Aston Martin
Fernando Alonso (Esp) Aston Martin
Oscar Piastri (Aus) McLaren
NOT PARTY
Lando Norris (Gbr) McLaren
Gabriel Bortoleto (Bra) Audi
Alexander Albon (Tha) Williams
– Photos: Ipa Agency –
(ITALPRESS).
