Kimi Antonelli wins the Chinese Grand Prix with George Russell securing second one-two for Mercedes

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Kimi Antonelli managed to secure a massive first race win at the Chinese Grand Prix, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton right behind him to complete the podium.

The drama in Shanghai started slightly earlier than the race began, as several cars faced issues before the start, including both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri’s cars.

Both the McLaren drivers, along with Alex Albon and Gabriel Bortoleto, had to retire before the start of the race and watch from the paddock.

As the race began, Kimi Antonelli, who was sitting on pole, once again struggled to get the best start to the race, losing the race lead to Lewis Hamilton.

A maiden Grand Prix win for Kimi Antonelli, as well as a first podium appearance for Lewis Hamilton at Ferrari! 🍾

What was your favourite moment of Antonelli's debut win?

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Antonelli would take the lead back from Hamilton quickly, passing him on the second lap and holding him off. George Russell would do the same just two laps later.

Both Ferrari and Mercedes were expectedly ahead to start the race, but over at Red Bull, Isack Hadjar had another disastrous start, spinning out and being forced to pit early to address the issue.

His teammate, Max Verstappen, similarly struggled, losing two positions from his P8 start and finding himself 10th within the first 10 laps of the race.

An errant stop from Lance Stroll near Turn 1 on Lap 10 led to the first safety car of the race. Unlike in Australia, the Ferrari drivers followed Kimi Antonelli and George Russell into the pit lane for a change of tyres.

The safety car’s presence led to an unexpected sight, as Franco Colapinto and Esteban Ocon found themselves in second and third, respectively.

Hamilton managed to take advantage of George Russell’s Mercedes locking up at the end of the safety car, following it up by passing Ocon and Colapinto to take second place.

Charles Leclerc and Russell managed to do the same in quick order, with the Monegasque passing Russell in quick order.

Behind them, there was an intense midfield battle between both Haas and Alpine drivers, along with Verstappen, with five cars going at it.

Halfway through the race, Hamilton, Leclerc, and Russell engaged in a thrilling exchange, with all three drivers passing each other on multiple occasions. Eventually, Russell managed to take second place, leaving both Ferrari drivers behind.

Fernando Alonso and Aston Martin’s issues continued, as he followed Lance Stroll into an early retirement in Shanghai.

The plaudits go to Kimi Antonelli, but who else in the top 10 impressed you at the Chinese Grand Prix?

Let us know in the comments below!

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A collision between Esteban Ocon and Franco Colapinto led to the former getting a 10-second penalty, ensuring he’d effectively finish the race last.

Near the middle of the pack, Carlos Sainz managed to get himself into ninth place, salvaging what, up to that point, had been a torrid weekend for Williams.

Unfortunately for Max Verstappen, an electrical issue forced him into an early retirement on the 11-year anniversary of his F1 debut.

Oliver Bearman had his second-best finish in Formula 1 in fifth place, with Pierre Gasly and Liam Lawson behind him.

Isack Hadjar, Carlos Sainz, and Franco Colapinto rounded off the points positions.