First Italian F1 Winner in 20 Years

Kimi Antonelli claimed victory at the Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the first Italian in 20 years to reach the top step of the podium in Formula 1. George Russell finished in second place, securing Mercedes’ second consecutive 1–2 finish of the 2026 season.

Antonelli described the moment as extraordinary, expressing his gratitude to the team for their support and acknowledging that he continues to learn from his teammate. He emphasized that he will remain focused on each upcoming race.

Russell congratulated Antonelli on his first career victory and highlighted that, despite a challenging start, Mercedes once again managed to achieve a double podium finish.