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JIMI REED
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F1 Reviews

He's Only Gone and Done It.

Round 2 — China (including Sprint)

F1 Race Review · Shanghai International Circuit · March 2026 · Jimi Reed

Where do you even start with this one?!

First, the Sprint. George Russell won it — his third consecutive points-scoring weekend opener — ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton after a brilliant early battle. Lewis had the jump on him off the line and led briefly before Russell made the decisive move. "20 years' experience," said Russell of Hamilton. "I've still got a little bit to learn there!" Charming. Points in the bag.

Then came Sunday, and the main event. And what a Sunday it was.

Before we could even think about racing, four cars didn't start. Four! Norris — electrical problem. Piastri — different electrical problem. A nightmare for McLaren. Neither car. Not one. Zero. Bortoleto and Albon also failed to start, leaving gaps on a grid that suddenly looked very thin at the back. Between this and Australia, Oscar Piastri has now completed the grand total of zero laps in 2026. Zero!

Out front, Hamilton got a stunning start from third, went around the outside of both Mercedes drivers and led lap one. Brilliant. But Antonelli was having none of it, repassed him down the back straight, and from there — bar one absolutely heart-in-mouth moment where he ran well off the track at the final corner with three laps to go — the 19-year-old Italian was never headed again.

At just 19 years and 202 days, Antonelli became the second youngest race winner in F1 history, behind only Max Verstappen. He's also the first Italian winner since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006. "I'm speechless. I want to cry, to be honest," he said afterwards. You and me both, Kimi. You and me both.

Russell finished second, and behind him Lewis Hamilton finally got his first Ferrari podium after a wheel-to-wheel battle with Charles Leclerc that Hamilton described as "one of the most enjoyable races I've had in a long, long time." Charles disagreed — "actually quite fun" he muttered on the radio, which in Charles-speak probably means he's furious.

Championship after Round 2: Antonelli leads by a point from Russell. Both Mercedes. Ferrari are right there. McLaren have somehow scored zero points across two races. Max has retired once and been sixth once. This is already more fun than the last three seasons combined!

Sprint Result

1. Russell   2. Leclerc   3. Hamilton

Race Result

1. Antonelli   2. Russell   3. Hamilton   4. Leclerc   5. Bearman   6. Gasly