Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole sitter in Formula One history at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, edging out Mercedes teammate George Russell after the Briton suffered a technical issue in Q3. The 19-year-old Italian set a time of 1min 32.064sec to claim the top spot, beating Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record by 18 years.
Antonelli’s achievement drew praise from Lewis Hamilton, who will start third for Ferrari. “I have to say a big congratulations to this big lad here, to Kimi,” said the seven-time world champion. “He took my seat and he hit it hard from the get-go. It’s an amazing achievement.”
Earlier on Saturday, Russell won the season’s first sprint race, holding off a fierce challenge from Hamilton to take the chequered flag. Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, with Hamilton third. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri placed fourth and sixth respectively for McLaren, while Max Verstappen could only manage ninth for Red Bull after a poor start.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff expressed vindication after criticism over promoting Antonelli straight into the team. “Many said the kid was too young to be in a Mercedes,” Wolff said. “The kid did good today.”
Antonelli will start Sunday’s grand prix from pole position, with Russell alongside him on the front row. Hamilton and Leclerc line up third and fourth, ahead of the McLaren duo.
