Qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix delivered a historic moment as Kimi Antonelli stormed to his maiden Formula 1 pole, becoming the youngest polesitter in the sport's history. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver produced a brilliant lap of 1m32.064s in Q3 at the Shanghai International Circuit, edging out teammate George Russell to secure a front-row lockout for Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. Russell's challenge was hampered by a gearbox issue that limited him to a single final attempt. Behind the Mercedes pair, Scuderia Ferrari locked out the second row, with Lewis Hamilton narrowly beating teammate Charles Leclerc.
Here are the live updates of the main race of the 2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Results
- Antonelli
- Russell
- Hamilton
- Leclerc
- Bearman
- Bearman
- Gasly
- Lawson
- Hadjar
- Saint
- Colapinto
- Hulkenberg
- Lindblad
- Bottas
- Ocon
- Perez
- Verstappen
- Alonso
- Stroll
- Piastri
- Norris
- Bortoleto
- Albon
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Hamilton Congratulates Mercedes
Congratulating the Mercedes drivers, Lewis Hamilton said- "Huge contratulations to Kimi, I'm so, so happy for you buddy. I had so much fun, we had a great start, wasn't able to keep these guys behind but stayed in the fight. That battle with Charles at the end was awesome."
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Lewis Hamilton Takes Podium
The seven-time world champion has grabbed a podium, finishing third, making it his first podium finish in Ferrari.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Kimi Wins The Chinese GP
The Mercedes prodigy has won the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, after a tough battle, just ahead of teammate George Russell.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Race Leader Goes Off At Lap 54
Kimi Antonelli goes off at the hairpin bend due to a rear lock up at lap 54. However, Antonelli keeped his pace, still leading the race currently.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Kimi Antonelli Continues To Lead
Antonelli edges closer to his maiden victory, stretching the gap over Russell to 9.6s - a result that would make him Formula One's second‑youngest winner after Verstappen.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Verstappen Out Of The Race
Max Verstappen has pitted his car, probably due to a techincal failure. We are yet to hear any confirmation about the issue from the team.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Lap 46 Driver Position
- Antonelli
- Russell
- Leclerc
- Hamilton
- Bearman
- Gasly
- Lawson
- Hadjar
- Saint
- Colapinto
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Ocon Gets 10-Second Penalty
Ocon has been penalised with a 10-second penalty for the incident involving Alpine (COL) contact.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates:Haas And Alpine Contact
As Colapinto was fighting to keep ahead of Ocon's Haas, the two cars has a contact and spinned on the track. However, both the cars continued the race, reporting minimum damage.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Lap 34
Antonelli
Russell
Leclerc
Hamilton
Bearman
Verstappen
Gasly
Hulkenberg
Lawson
Hadjar
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Charles Vs Hamilton
Lewis and Charles are constantly keeping the charge, with Charles claimimng the second place again, ahead of Russell, and Hamilton.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Arvid Lindblad Spins And Starts Again
The Visa CashApp rookie, Arvid Lindblad took a spin at Lap 28, but started again to keep the battle going.
LAP 28/56
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2026
Lindblad goes for a spin at Turn 14! 😵💫#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/1YBOeuDCEb
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Lewis Hamilton Is The Lead Ferrari
After a long struggle Lewis took the charge and surpassed Charles to be the leading Ferrari
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Max Verstappen Climbs The Chart
While the batttle to lead the race is between Hamilton, Leclerc, Russell, it is Max Verstappen who is improving his position and is now at 6th place.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Trouble For George
The Mercedes driverp- George Russell reported that his car is lossing grip on the track, probably inviting a pit stop soon.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Top 10 On Lap 14
Antonelli
Colapinto
Ocon
Russell
Hamilton
Lindblad
Leclerc
Hulkenberg
Gasly
Bearman
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: McLaren Duo Out Of The Race
McLaren duo Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris are out from the race, due to techical issues. Also Audi's Gabriel Bortoleto, and Esteban Ocon ( Haas) did not start the race.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Kimi Antonelli Leads Again
On Lap 3, Kimi Antonelli has taken the charge of the race outpacing Lewis Hamilton.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Isack Hadjar Slides
Just in the first lap, Red Bulls' Isack Hadjar spinned on the track and was asked to come to the pits.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Lights Out And Away We Go!
The main race of the 2026 Formula 1 Chinese GP has begun, and Kimi surges with the first lap with great push but Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton took the first position just after turn one.
Hamilton into the lead off the line... 💨
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 15, 2026
Here's how the Grand Prix start unfolded in China! 👇#F1 #ChineseGP pic.twitter.com/8PCggan9tV
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Cars Out For Formation Lap
The 2026 F1 Chinese GP is set to begin in just a few minutes as cars are now up for the formation lap.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Check Out Qualifying Highlights
As the Chinese GP is set to begin in a few minutes, here are the updates of the Qualifying you must check out first- Antonelli Takes Maiden F1 Pole At Chinese GP Qualifying, Mercedes Lock Front Row
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: McLaren Duo Set To Start From 5th And 6th
On the third row we have the McLaren, with Oscar Piastri at 5th and Lando Norris starting today from the 6th place.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Ferrari's Follow Mercedes
Next to Kimi And George, are Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) locking the third and fourt place for the main race start.
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE Updates: Antonelli Is The Youngest Pole-Sitter
With this Kimi Antonelli is now 'F1's youngest ever pole-sitter' (19 years, 6 months, 18 day), surpassing, Sebastian Vettel's record in 2008 Italian Grand Prix, (21 years, 2 months, 11 days).
2026 F1 Chinese Grand Prix LIVE: What Happened In Qualifying?
Qualifying concluded with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli taking pole position, while teammate George Russell followed closely to secure second place and complete a front-row lockout.
