Andrew Benson
BBC F1 correspondent

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Teenager Kimi Antonelli took his first Formula 1 victory as he led team-mate George Russell home in a Mercedes one-two at the Chinese Grand Prix.

The 19-year-old Italian became the second youngest grand prix winner in history, a day after becoming the youngest pole-sitter, with a controlled drive after briefly losing the lead at the start to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari.

Only Max Verstappen, who won for the first time aged 18 at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix, has taken the chequered flag in F1 at a younger age than Antonelli.

Antonelli fought back tears and struggled for words during his post-race interview as the enormity of the moment sunk in.

Read the full report here

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The Chinese Grand Prix belongs to Kimi Antonelli, who becomes the second youngest teenager to win a grand prix after Max Verstappen and the first Italian driver to take victory since Giancarlo Fisichella for Renault 20 years ago at the Malaysian Grand Prix.

Mercedes have secured one-two finishes at every race so far but will it be the same again in Japan? Or can Ferrari close the gap and challenge for victory at Suzuka?

There is work to do for McLaren and Red Bull before the next grand prix. The constructors' champions faced electrical issues on Sunday and didn't even start the race, while Max Verstappen has just told Sky Sports he had to retire his Red Bull halfway through because of a problem with the energy recovery system.

So, the Japanese Grand Prix is where we're off to next at the end of the month, so come back and join us for first and second practice - no sprint this time - on Friday, 27 March from 02:30 GMT.

The 53-lap race on Sunday, 29 March starts at 06:00.

See you soon!

This week, Verstappen announced he'll be taking on a new challenge by competing in the Nurburgring 24-hour race in May - one week before the Canadian Formula 1 Grand Prix. At the same time, Verstappen has also said he wishes Formula 1 racing was "more fun" at present. And that view won't have changed after his China retirement.

New rule changes brought into the sport at the Australian Grand Prix have met with a mixed reception, with some saying the new emphasis on energy management is robbing the sport of skill and excitement.

So what's the appeal of endurance racing - and might it prove more attractive to Verstappen than the sport that's made him famous?

Listen here.

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McLaren team principal Andrea Stella speaking to Sky Sports after Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri didn't start the race: "We came here to go racing and today we were not in condition to do so because of technical problems.

"This is very frustrating and disappointing for the team, for the drivers, for our technical and commercial partners, and for our fans.

"We're sorry for that and we will regroup and understand these technical problems, and we will go again in Japan."

On the issues: "Once we prepared Lando's car to leave the garage we found a problem on the electrical side of the power unit. We tried to fix it but there was no way to fix it.

"Once we were on the grid we found another problem on the electrical side of the power unit on Oscar's side. They seem to be different problems occurring for some reason at the same time, meaning that there was no way to start the race.

"This is something that is an extremely unfortunate coincidence of two different problems on the electrical side of the power unit appearing at the same time.

"We go as one team and we will investigate together."

Brandon: Don’t think people will credit him anywhere near enough in the headlines today but Oliver Bearman has been superb this weekend, once again. Haas look to have really good pace. Also Alpine’s upturn form is visible. Well done Pierre and Franco. Double points! First time since Brazil 2024?!

Oliver Bearman's points at the Chinese Grand Prix has lifted Haas to fourth in the teams' standings - above the mighty Red Bull.

The Briton had a message for a special person after he finished fifth: "Before I forget, this one is dedicated to my mum. It's Mother's Day today, so happy Mother's Day, mum. But also to all of the mums out there, thank you for what you do."

F1 mums of the world, we salute you!

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Ferrari's Charles Leclerc, speaking to Sky Sports, about his battle on the track with team-mate Lewis Hamilton: "I really enjoyed it. It's not very often that I will have a smile after P4. I mean, of course there are many negatives from the race, there's one big negative after the race and that is the gap to the Mercedes.

"Lewis and I did the maximum, we lost some time so maybe the gap is a bit bigger that what we thought. We lost some time once they were gone, we decided we would fight, at least for the podium, so that didn't optimise our race time but it didn't change anything to our result.

"They [Mercedes] are just so strong at the moment. In Australia, we expected them to be so strong but they never really showed that pace in the race. Yesterday in the sprint race, we expected it and they didn't really show.

"I think they finally showed it today, It is a big gap so that is a bit disappointing. But to come back with Lewis' fight, it was very fun. I enjoyed it. I'm not sure the team enjoyed it as much as we did."

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Thanks for all your comments on the race today, folks. It's been a real mixed bag of opinions on the new regulations and what racing looks like now the balance of the new power units are a near 50-50 split between electric and combustion power.

Writing on X, here's what 1996 world champion Damon Hill thinks of F1 in 2026: "So far I have no complaints. But I don't have to drive anymore!

"I can understand if the fast corners have been neutered as necessary a re-charge opportunity, which is a real shame. But the two races we have had have been crackers.

"And there is still a challenge there. I like"

Anees: With Red Bull struggling and McLaren not even starting the race I would say the battle for wins will be between Mercedes and Ferrari for the rest of season even if Red Bull and McLaren improve might be a little too late in them challenging the teams ahead.

Rob: If this is the best that F1 can do, it will lose fans at a rapid rate. Awful race to watch, massive performance difference in the cars.

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Over the team radio when Kimi Antonelli crossed the line to seal his first win in China, Mercedes tem principal Toto Wolff had some strong words for the haters, as the kids would say, who said it was a risk replacing a seven-time world champion with a teenger rookie.

"He's too young. We shouldn't put him a Mercedes. Put him in a smaller team. He needs the experience. Look at the mistakes he makes," said Wolff.

"Here we go Kimi. Victory."

The season is shaping up to be Mercedes versus Ferrari and after the first two races of this new era of Formula 1, the Silver Arrows are 31 points clear of the Italian team at the top of the constructors' championship.

Despite a difficult weekend in China for McLaren - Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, the second weekend running for the Australian, failed to start today - the team stay third in the standings, but Haas are only one point away in fourth.

Williams are off the mark with Carlos Sainz's ninth place but Aston Martin sit bottom of the pile, below newcomers Cadillac thanks to Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas both finishing the race for the American team.

1. Mercedes - 98

2. Ferrari. - 67

3. McLaren - 18

4. Haas - 17

5. Red Bull - 12

6. Racing Bulls - 12

7. Alpine - 10

8. Audi - 2

9. Williams - 2

10. Cadillac - 0

11. Aston Martin - 0

Brandon: Kimi Antonelli has shown maturity beyond his years throughout that Chinese Grand Prix. Yes he had a moment in the Sprint and one towards the latter stages today, but he has still taken victory! A brilliant moment for him and truly deserves his praise. Mercedes are back!

After two main grands prix victories and a sprint race win, Mercedes occupy the top two spots in the drivers' championship, with George Russell four points ahead of Shanghai winner Kimi Antonelli.

Lewis Hamilton is one point behind Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc with his third place on Sunday, while Oliver Bearman is above the likes of world champions Lando Norris and Max Verstappen in fifth.

1. George Russell (Mercedes) - 51pts

2. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 47

3. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 34

4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 33

5. Oliver Bearman (Haas) - 17

6. Lando Norris (McLaren) - 15

7. Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 9

8. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 8

9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 8

10. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls) - 4

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Lewis Hamilton, who finishes third and secures his first podium for Ferrari "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.

"He took my seat at this great team and so a big congratulations for 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 [Leclerc] at the end was awesome.

"A great wheel-to-wheel battle and very fair and just what we want. We’ve got to keep pushing and this is the most amount of people I’ve ever seen in Shanghai."

On fighting with his team-mate: "I think there was one moment where we did touch, but it was subtle, just a kiss so it's OK.

"This is what it's about, it's about tough racing and I've got to say a huge thank you to everyone at Ferrari and everyone back at Maranello for getting us back into this position.

"I know it's not exactly where we want to be, we want to be up front where these guys are, but we've got a great platform to work off and we've just got to literally go full gas."

DS: Congrats to Kimi but let’s not ignore the fact that only 15 cars finished the race and the gap between cars is huge - not great for F1

Jeanette: So thrilled for Kimi! Lewis and Charles fabulous wheel to wheel racing!

Simon: Lewis back on the podium finally a car that can support one of the best drivers of all time

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Mercedes' George Russell, who finished second in Shanghai: "Firstly, huge congratulations to Kimi, because it is always very special to win your first race and obviously he has been driving amazingly this year and this weekend, especially.

"Pleased to be standing on the podium with him and also with this guy [Lewis Hamilton] as well.

"It was a tough battle, obviously we both had bad starts again. Ferraris shot past, but at the end of the day getting the one-two is all we can ask for."

Dan: Bravo Antonelli! Well driven. Well deserved win. So pleased for Lewis too, nice to see the GOAT back on the podium. Nice comments he made about Antonelli too, sign of respect and class.

Andrew: What wonderful podium scenes after a great race.. heart warming stuff, I'm fully onboard with the new cars and more exciting racing..

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Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli, who wins his first Formula 1 race: "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."

On being the first Italian to win for 20 years: "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."

On fighting with George Russell and the Ferraris: "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."

On what this means: "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."

What a moment for race engineer Pete Bonnington, who joins Kimi Antonelli on the podium to celebrate the Italian's victory but also gets to pat his ex-driver Lewis Hamilton on the back for his maiden podium with Ferrari.

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11. Nico Hulkenberg (Audi)

12. Arvid Lindblad (Racing Bulls)

13. Valtteri Bottas (Cadillac)

14. Esteban Ocon (Haas)

15. Sergio Perez (Cadillac)

DNF. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)

DNF. Fernando ALonso (Aston Martin)

DNF. Lance Stroll (Aston Martin)

DNS. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)

DNS. Lando Norris (McLaren)

DNS. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

DNS. Alex Albon (Williams)