Chinese GP: Kimi Antonelli Wins Historic Pole As Mercedes Claims One-Two Finish

 

Kimi Antonelli clinched a historic pole position in the qualifying session of the Chinese Grand Prix, making him the youngest F1 driver to lead the podium in a Mercedes one-two finish. 

The Mercedes team dominated the race in Shanghai after an impressive performance by George Russell at the Sprint Race earlier. Antonelli won the podium, finishing quickest in 1:32.064 seconds. At 19 years old, he overturned the previous record set for the feat by retired F1 driver Sebastian Vettel. 

Russell was unable to complete favourably for the pole after an engine failure on his first trial. However, he could not improve on his time to snatch the pole from Antonelli. Better still, he improved enough to pip Lewis Hamilton to claim P2. 

Hamilton maintained his performance, making a front row finish in third ahead of his teammate, Charles Leclerc. The F1 defending champion, Lando Norris, missed out on a front start and finished behind his teammate, Oscar Piastri. 

See below for the Chinese GP Qualifying Session top 10 Drivers: 

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)...1:32.064s

George Russell (Mercedes)

Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 

Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

Lando Norris (McLaren)

Pierre Gasly (Alpine) 

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 

Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 

Oliver Bearman (Haas)