Two outings into the 2026 season, the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One (F1) team remains the sole constructor to have won a race. This came after Kimi Antonelli won Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai Audi International Circuit in China.
After being crowned the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history with a track time of 1:32.064, the 19-year-old spearheaded back-to-back 1-2s for Mercedes along with running mate George Russell.
Despite an early battle with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and a tire lock-up late in the 53rd lap, Antonelli held on to claim his first race victory in only his second year on the grid.
Mercedes Nets Back-to-Back 1-2s to Start 2026 Campaign
Despite a late mishap, Antonelli took the checkered flag with a comfortable 7.6 seconds ahead of his teammate Russell, giving Mercedes a huge boost in the constructors’ title as they currently top the rankings with 98 points as of this writing.
The same cannot be said for reigning champions McLaren, however, as reigning driver champ Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were pulled to the garage prior to the race due to car issues. Piastri has yet to see the asphalt in 2026 after crashing out in the formation lap in last week’s race in Australia.
Aside from the two McLarens, five more drivers retired during the 56-lap bout, including Audi’s Gab Bortoleto, Williams’ Alex Albon, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll, and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.
Lewis Hamilton Claims First Podium Finish for Ferrari
In his second year driving for Scuderia Ferrari HP, the veteran Hamilton secured his first podium spot for the red-and-yellow, finishing third in the race, one spot ahead of his Monegasque teammate Charles Leclerc.
After an underwhelming 2025 campaign, both Ferrari drivers are looking to establish momentum early, collecting their second consecutive 3-4 finish to boast 67 points in the constructors’ title, trailing Mercedes.
The grid will return to action in two weeks when it resumes at the Suzuka Circuit on March 29 in Japan.
