Both McLaren cars failed to make the start due to separate electrical issues, leaving Oscar Piastri still awaiting his first race start of the 2026 season

Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula One podium finish since joining Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday.

The seven-time world champion collected 15 points for the Scuderia, with Charles Leclerc completing the top four.

Kimi Antonelli achieved victory, becoming the first Italian driver to win a race in nearly 20 years.

The young Mercedes driver crossed the finish line at the Shanghai International Circuit with a commanding lead of over seven seconds ahead of teammate George Russell.

Upon crossing the line, Antonelli exclaimed “YEEEEEES. We did it, we did it!” over team radio.

His race engineer, Pete Bonnington, responded: “That’s one you’re going to remember forever.”

The race was marked by chaos from the opening moments, with Hamilton seizing the lead at turn one before Antonelli reclaimed first position by the start of lap two.

Both McLaren cars failed to make the start due to separate electrical issues, leaving Oscar Piastri still awaiting his first race start of the 2026 season.

Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula One podium finish since joining Ferrari at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday

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A safety car period was triggered on lap eleven when Lance Stroll’s Aston Martin stopped on track, believed to be caused by a battery failure.

Max Verstappen endured a difficult afternoon, dropping six places on the opening lap before eventually retiring with what appeared to be an electronics problem on lap 47.

In total, seven drivers failed to finish, including Fernando Alonso who withdrew due to discomfort from vibrations, with Lando Norris, Gabriel Bortoleto and Alex Albon also among those who never started.

The battle between Ferrari teammates provided much of the race’s entertainment, with Hamilton and Leclerc exchanging positions on multiple occasions throughout the 56-lap contest.

Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden Formula One victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on Sunday

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The pair came close to contact on several occasions, with wheel-to-wheel racing through the opening corners as both drivers deployed their overtake boost buttons at different points.

Hamilton complained repeatedly about power issues over team radio, he said: “I have no power. Give me something. I can’t run the last corner with no power.”

Despite these concerns, he managed to hold off Leclerc’s advances in the closing stages.

Russell capitalised on the Ferrari infighting to move into second place, with the internal battle allowing Antonelli to build an unassailable advantage at the front.

F1 facts fans might not know | GETTY/GBNEWS

Hamilton’s mother, Carmen, was present in the Ferrari garage to witness her son’s historic podium finish, with the race falling on Mother’s Day.

The seven-time champion had not stood on the podium wearing Ferrari red since his move to the Italian team ahead of the current campaign.

In the Mercedes garage, Antonelli’s father, Marco, was seen pacing nervously as his son navigated the final laps towards victory.

A heart-stopping moment came with three laps remaining when the young Italian locked up and ran off circuit, reducing his advantage from over nine seconds to just over seven.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff appeared delighted as his team secured a dominant one-two finish, with the Silver Arrows demonstrating superior pace throughout the weekend in Shanghai.