Who is Kimi Antonelli? Teen becomes second-youngest F1 winner with Chinese GP victory; check net worth, career, and more
Kimi Antonelli's emotional Shanghai win marked a new chapter for Mercedes and F1's young generation. With a strong pace early in 2026, the Italian teen is poised for more podiums and title challenges ahead. Here is all you need to know about the teen sensation.
Italian sensation Andrea Kimi Antonelli delivered a landmark moment in Formula 1 by claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver converted his historic pole position, the youngest in F1 history, into a commanding win, becoming the second-youngest race winner ever at 19 years and 202 days, only behind Max Verstappen's 2016 Spanish GP record.
Historic Shanghai victory for the Mercedes prodigy
Kimi Antonelli briefly lost the lead at the start to Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari but regained control with calm precision. He navigated a late off-track scare to secure the checkered flag ahead of teammate George Russell in second, securing a Mercedes one-two.
An emotional Antonelli fought back tears in his post-race interview: "I gave myself a heart attack at the end... I’m super happy... Speechless after this first-ever Grand Prix victory. I dedicate it to my whole family, the team, and the fans who support me."
Russell retained a four-point championship lead. Hamilton finished third for his first Ferrari podium since the switch, following a fierce battle with teammate Charles Leclerc.
Chinese Grand Prix 2026 results: Top 10 finishers
1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
2. George Russell (Mercedes)
3. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Oliver Bearman (Haas)
6. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
8. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)
9. Carlos Sainz (Williams)
10. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
Who is Kimi Antonelli?
Born August 25, 2006, in Bologna, Italy, Kimi Antonelli comes from a racing lineage. His father, Marco, was a sports car driver. Mercedes signed him to their junior program in 2019. He excelled in karting before dominating Italian and ADAC F4 in 2022, Formula Regional in 2023, and shining in F2 in 2024. Promoted to F1 in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton, this Shanghai win in his second season sealed his status as a future champion contender. Antonelli stands at 5 ft 8 in (1.72 m), well-suited to F1's aerodynamic needs.
Personal life insights
Kimi Antonelli previously dated Czech karting driver Eliška Bábíčková from October 2023. She became the first female OK-class Italian Karting champion in 2023. The pair split in February 2026, with Bábíčková confirming she ended it due to differing values and futures, dismissing any dramatic rumours.
Salary and net worth
Kimi Antonelli's base salary with Mercedes for 2026 is reported at $2 million, according to RacingNews365 and NBC Miami. Including bonuses and incentives, total earnings could reach up to an estimated $12.5 million. His net worth is estimated to be around $5 million to $11.5 million, supported by endorsements from IWC Schaffhausen, Police Lifestyle, Adidas, and his growing fame after this breakthrough.
About the Author
Aachal Maniyar is a Senior Content Producer at LiveMint, where she covers US sports with a focus on major leagues, marquee events, and athlete-driven stories, while also reporting extensively on cricket and global sports. With over five years of first-hand journalism experience, she combines sharp editorial judgment with real-time sports storytelling across platforms. <br><br> Her reporting journey spans leading newsrooms including Thomson Reuters, India TV, BTVI, ET NOW, and CNBC TV18, where she has worked across breaking news, live match coverage, feature writing, interviews, video scripting, and anchoring. This multi-platform exposure has shaped her ability to deliver context-rich sports and business journalism tailored for both television and digital audiences. <br><br> Aachal has conducted and produced exclusive interviews with athletes and public figures such as India cricketer Dhruv Jurel, Indian women’s hockey captain Savita Punia, and industrialist Ratan Tata, along with several emerging and established sports personalities. Her body of work includes in-depth explainers, athlete profiles, emotionally resonant fan narratives, and data-backed match analysis across cricket, Olympic sports, and international competitions. <br><br> She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism from Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune, and believes in reporting that is grounded in accuracy, clarity, and credibility. Her philosophy is simple: sports journalism should go beyond scores and statistics, capturing the human stories, pressure moments, and decisions that shape the game and the people who play it.
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