On a circuit that proved less critical for energy harvesting, Formula 1’s class of 2026 managed to put on a show. The Chinese Grand Prix had something for everyone, supplying both feel-good stories and horror shows all at once, and here’s who was leading the cast in each genre.
Winner – Kimi Antonelli (and his boss)
Split screening the broadcast to cut to significant others is somewhat of a pet peeve, but we’ll make a happy exception for Kimi Antonelli‘s dad Marco, who has devoted a significant part of his life to his son’s career.
Marco Antonelli must have died a thousand deaths during the closing laps, and thankfully made it through his son’s late off at the hairpin in one piece. The reward for his poise was an emotional embrace with a grand prix winner.
On the second weekend of Mercedes supplying him with a championship calibre car, Kimi Antonelli has made it happen, vindicating the faith Toto Wolff showed in him by promoting him to a race seat at least one year ahead of schedule as he rode out an up and down debut season. Wolff was keen to rub that in afterwards, and fair enough.
Antonelli’s teenage tears were a sight for sore eyes, with his predecessor Lewis Hamilton joining him on the podium to pass over the proverbial baton.
