Kimi Antonelli vowed it is just the beginning for Mercedes after his maiden Formula One triumph at the Chinese Grand Prix.

Antonelli finished ahead of team-mate George Russell, who won the first race of the season in Australia last week, to claim back-to-back Mercedes one-twos.

While McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris, the reigning world champion, failed to start Sunday's race, it was another glorious Grand Prix for Mercedes.

Ferrari, too, enjoyed a fine showing, with Lewis Hamilton edging out Charles Leclerc in an entertaining tussle for fourth. 

"I'm speechless, I'm about to cry, to be honest. Thank you so much to my team because they have helped me to achieve this dream," said Antonelli, who is the second-youngest driver in F1 history to win a race, after Max Verstappen.

"I'm super happy. I said yesterday that I really wanted to bring Italy back on top and we did today. Even though I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end with a flat spot, but it was a good race.

"It was not an easy start and probably I covered a bit too much on the inside and gave too much room to the Ferrari cars. At the end, the pace was good and we managed to bring it home.

"We're just at the beginning and we will keep pushing. George is an incredible driver and he was very strong on our last pace, so I think it's going to take a lot to beat him.

"It's such a great opportunity to be working with him as well because I've been learning a lot from him and I'm looking forward to the rest of the season.

"I always focus race by race and I we will see where we end up at the end of the year."

Another milestone unlocked pic.twitter.com/HR1r7wi4c6

— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) March 15, 2026

Russell is four points clear of Antonelli in the driver standings, while Mercedes have a 31-point buffer at the top of the Constructors' Championship.

Hamilton's podium finish was his first since he joined Ferrari, ending a 470-day wait for the seven-time world champion to finish in the top three.

"I have to say a huge congrats to Kimi, I'm so happy for you buddy, and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him," Hamilton said. The Briton had taken an early lead but was unable to hold off the Mercedes pair.

"He took my seat at this great team and so a big congratulations to Mercedes. They are really pulling ahead at the moment and we've got a lot of work to do to try and keep up.

"I had so much fun and we had a great start. I wasn't able to keep these guys behind, but to stay in the fight, it was one of the most enjoyable races I’ve had in a long time, if ever.

"The fact that the cars are the way they are this year and that battle with Charles at the end was awesome. A great wheel-to-wheel battle and very fair and just what we want."

Oliver Bearman finished fifth, with Norris managing to recover to sixth after he did finally get going. Pierre Gasly, Verstappen, Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad also finished in the points.

Prior to the race, the FIA confirmed the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix would not be taking place next month, due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

Drivers'

1. George Russell (Mercedes) - 51
2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 47
3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 34

Constructors'

1. Mercedes - 98
2. Ferrari - 67
3. McLaren - 18