19-year-old Italian Formula 1 driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, representing the Mercedes team, made history in 'Royal Racing' after his victory at the second round of the 2026 season, the Chinese Grand Prix.
Antonelli became the second youngest winner of a Formula 1 Grand Prix, finishing in first place at the age of 19 years and 202 days.
The record belongs to four-time 'Royal Racing' champion Max Verstappen from the Red Bull team, who first won a Grand Prix at the age of 18 years and 228 days in 2016 in Barcelona during his first race for the Austrian team.
It is also noteworthy that Antonelli's victory was the first for Italians in 20 years. The last time the Italian anthem was played at Formula 1 races in honor of a winner was in March 2006. At that time, Giancarlo Fisichella won the Malaysian Grand Prix as part of the Renault team.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli made his Formula 1 debut in 2025. Interestingly, he replaced the legendary Lewis Hamilton in the Mercedes team and, at 18 years old, became one of the youngest drivers in history to establish himself in this team.
