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.

Russell emerged from his garage with just two minutes remaining, but he could not match team-mate Antonelli’s lap with the Italian ending the session 0.222 seconds clear.

Antonelli, aged 19 years, six months and 18 days, breaks Sebastian Vettel’s 18-year record as the youngest driver to take top spot in qualifying.

Vettel was 21 years, two months and 11 days when he stormed to pole at the Italian Grand Prix in 2008.

Lewis Hamilton finished third in his Ferrari, one place ahead of Charles Leclerc in the other scarlet car.

Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris will line up in fifth and sixth respectively for McLaren. Max Verstappen qualified eighth, nine tenths off the pace.