Teenager Kimi Antonelli will start on pole position for Sunday’s Chinese Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to achieve the feat in Formula 1 history.
Antonelli led a Mercedes front-row lockout along with George Russell and erased the record of Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 when he took pole for the Italian Grand Prix in 2008.
“I’m happy with the lap I did,” Antonelli told reporters.
“And really happy to be starting on pole for my first time.”
Fox Sports, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every practice, qualifying session and race in the 2026 FIA Formula One World Championship™ LIVE in 4K. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1 >
The Mercedes duo, as in Australia last weekend, have been dominant in Shanghai, with championship leader Russell winning the sprint race earlier in the day.
“It was a pretty clean session,” added Antonelli.
“It was nice because for the first time in a qualifying session I was able to find lap times every time I was going on track.”
The Ferrari pair of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will fill the second row of the grid for Sunday’s race after qualifying third and fourth.
Then came the two McLarens of Oscar Piastri and world champion Lando Norris. Max Verstappen was only eighth fastest, continuing an unhappy weekend in a clearly struggling Red Bull.
The Chinese Grand Prix gets underway on Sunday at 6pm AEDT (3pm local time).
Kimi Pole makes Grand Prix HISTORY | 00:59
CHINESE GP START TIME
Sydney – 6pm
Melbourne – 6pm
Brisbane – 5pm
Adelaide – 5.30pm
Perth – 3pm
Hobart – 6pm
Darwin – 4.30pm