Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest ever pole-sitter as he edged out his Mercedes team-mate George Russell in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.
Russell, who won the Sprint earlier on Saturday, appeared to have the edge over Antonelli but suffered a technical issue in the final part of qualifying that limited him to one rushed lap at the end of the session.
Antonelli took full advantage of getting two clean runs in, setting a time of 1:32.064 on his second effort to beat Russell by 0.222s as Mercedes locked out the front row for the third time in as many qualifying sessions this season.
The 19-year-old breaks a record set by four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his first F1 pole at the age of 21 at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix when he was driving for Toro Rosso.
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George Russell stops at the start Q3 after a problem with his Mercedes.
Lewis Hamilton produced another encouraging display as he edged out his Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc for third, with little more than a hundredth of a second separating the pair as they finished three tenths back from Antonelli.
Oscar Piastri beat his McLaren team-mate Lando Norris to fifth as the reigning constructors’ champions showed some improvement but still lacked the pace to challenge for pole.
Max Verstappen’s tough start to the season with Red Bull continued as he could only qualify eighth, finishing behind Alpine’s Pierre Gasly.
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s Chinese GP schedule
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A look back at the wildest moments caught on the onboard cameras at the Chinese Grand Prix
Sunday March 15
2.35am: F1 Academy Race 2*
5.30am: Chinese GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
7am: THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX*
9am: Chinese GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
10am: Ted’s Notebook*
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Formula 1 is in Shanghai for the first Sprint weekend of the 2026 season at the Chinese Grand Prix, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime
