Kimi Antonelli breaks F1 record to claim pole position for Chinese Grand Prix

George Russell was hampered by a gearbox problem.

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is on pole position. Pic: Vincent Thian/AP

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula One history after George Russell was struck down by a gearbox problem in qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Russell was still able to take second on the grid as Mercedes secured a second straight front-row lockout, but the world championship leader was restricted to just one flying lap in Shanghai after he stopped on track with mechanical gremlins in the early part of Q3.