2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix Recap

By Ryan Wu

It was a day to forget for McLaren as both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri were unable to start the race. The nightmare start to the 2026 season continued for Piastri as he has not completed a single grand prix lap in the first two races of this year.

Kimi Antonelli achieved his maiden Formula 1 victory and became the second youngest driver to do so. His teammate George Russell and Lewis Hamilton rounded out the podium places.

For Hamilton, this was the seven-time World Champion’s first podium with Ferrari and surely one he will remember for a long time.

Race Recap

The advantage the Ferrari drivers have in race starts showed again in China. Hamilton got off to an amazing start and overtook pole sitter Antonelli into the first turn. The same could not be said for Max Verstappen who started eighth but was down six places right off the start.

The power advantage of Mercedes showed early with Antonelli and Russell regaining their places within a few laps.

A safety car deployment after Lance Stroll stopped his car off the track on lap 10 ended the Canadian’s race and brought all the top four drivers in for fresh tires as both teams opted for hard tires and committed to one-stop strategies.

Both Ferrari drivers were then able to pass Russell who was running in a close fourth and showed great mettle as they dueled back and forth for second position.

On lap 27, Russell made his move to pass Hamilton then passed Leclerc on lap 29 to gain second place.

With 12 laps to go, Hamilton was finally able to break free of his teammate once and for all to claim the 203rd podium of his career.

Reliability Issues Hits Teams Hard

In addition to the two McLarens, neither Gabriel Bortoleto of Audi nor Williams driver Alex Albon started the race. Aston Martin also saw two retirements with Stroll reporting electrical issues early and Fernando Alonso needing to end his race prematurely as vibration issues due to the Honda engine became unbearable.

Max Verstappen was also another late retiree on lap 46 due to a due to an Energy Recovery System coolant failure.

Racing Refresh Driver of the Day

Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari

Final Points Finishing Positions

1st:  Kimi Antonelli

2nd: George Russell

3rd: Lewis Hamilton

4th: Charles Leclerc

5th: Oliver Bearman

6th: Pierre Gasly

7th: Liam Lawson

8th: Isack Hadjar

9th: Carlos Sainz

10th: Franco Colapinto

Next on the F1 Schedule:

Japanese Grand Prix: March 27th-29th