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.
“It was a pretty clean session, so (I’m) really happy,” said Antonelli, who had previously claimed a Sprint pole at last year’s Miami Grand Prix during his rookie campaign.
“George had an issue in Q3 and it would have been cool to see him with two sets (of tyres). I saw he had the issue and tried to keep my focus to stay calm and deliver a good lap.”
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.
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The thrilling end to Chinese GP qualifying as Kimi Antonelli claimed pole position.
Verstappen’s team-mate Isack Hadjar was ninth ahead of Haas’ Oliver Bearman, but the French driver was fortunate to make it through Q2 after Gabriel Bortoleto spinning off triggered yellow flags that prevented several others from having the chance to knock the Red Bull out.
The six drivers knocked out in Q1 were the same as in Sprint Qualifying a day earlier, with Williams’ hugely disappointing start to the season continuing as Carlos Sainz edged out team-mate Alex Albon for 17th.
Aston Martin suffered another blow amid their engine struggles as Lance Stroll was beaten to 20th by Valtteri Bottas for F1 newcomers Cadillac.
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
