Source : ABC NEWS
Oscar Piastri has not started either of the opening two Formula 1 grands prix in 2026, as McLaren suffered a double-blow and Mercedes celebrated another victory.
Teenager Kimi Antonelli won an action-filled Chinese Grand Prix, achieving his maiden win in F1 one day after becoming the youngest ever pole sitter.
McLaren failed to start either Piastri or Lando Norris, with both drivers suffering suspected electrical issues.
Piastri, who failed to start last weekend’s Australian Grand Prix after crashing on his way to the grid, was wheeled into the garage just minutes before the start of the grand prix.
Norris never even made it out of the garage, with the issue to his car being found about 90 minutes before lights-out.
“It was an electrical problem on the power unit, different to Lando’s,” Piastri said.
“Just very unfortunate to both have issues, but we don’t fully know any more than that at this point so, yeah, obviously disappointing.”
Mechanics push Oscar Piastri of Australia driving the (81) McLaren MCL40 Mercedes to his grid slot prior to the F1 Grand Prix of China at Shanghai International Circuit on March 15, 2026 in Shanghai, China (Getty Images: LAT Images/Steven Tee)
The double Did Not Start (DNS) is the first time both McLarens failed to begin a grand prix since the infamous race at Indianapolis in 2005, when all teams using Michelin tyres refused to race due to safety concerns.
Piastri, the first McLaren driver to have consecutive DNS since Bruce McLaren failed to start at the US and Mexico in 1969, said the team had to gain knowledge of the new regulations just by watching everyone else.
“I think try and learn what we can by watching the race, then after that just trying to do as much work as we can before Japan,” he said.
“I think obviously the problems today have been annoying, but I think besides that we know we’ve got work to do to find more performance, so that’s what we’ll try and focus on.”
Antonelli drives near-perfect to claim maiden win
Kimi Antonelli drove with poise beyond his years to become the second-youngest winner of an F1 grand prix.
The Italian held off Mercedes teammate George Russell while Lewis Hamilton finished third, claiming his maiden podium as a Ferrari driver.
Kimi Antonelli is Formula 1’s newest grand prix winner. (Getty Images: Mark Thompson)
One day after he became the youngest pole sitter of all time, the 19-year-old completed his maiden pole into a maiden win.
He became the first Italian in almost 20 years to win an F1 grand prix, and was overcome with emotion after taking the chequered flag in Shanghai.
“I’m speechless, I’m about to cry to be honest. Thank you to the team for helping me to achieve this dream,” he said.
“I really wanted to bring Italy back to the top and we did today.”
The Mercedes teen did have to fight for his win, with Ferrari again proving they are the best starters in F1.
Hamilton launched off the line to go from third to the lead on the opening lap. Not losing his cool, Antonelli regained the lead on lap two, a lead he would never surrender.
Russell, Hamilton and Leclerc would have an engaging battle throughout the afternoon for the other podium places, but their chances of winning were ended due to a fortunately timed safety car for Antonelli.
Aston Martin’s Lance Stroll stopped and forced the safety car, with the top four coming in to the pits on lap 10.
Antonelli emerged in the lead, but Russell, Leclerc and Hamilton all dropped down the order as some drivers elected to stay out.
Once the safety car ended, it took a few laps for the trio to reassert themselves in second, third and fourth, while Antonelli was able to establish a race-winning gap.
The Italian had one scary moment on lap 53 of 56, locking his tyres and going off the circuit at the end of the long straight.
But Russell was never in striking distance, allowing Antonelli to claim the win without worry.
Hamilton and Leclerc had a magnificent battle for third place, with the seven-time world champion coming out on top for his first grand prix podium for the famous Italian outfit.
“I had so much fun, we had a great start but just couldn’t keep these guys behind,” Hamilton said.
“It was one of the most enjoyable races I have had in a long time, if not ever. The battle with Charles was awesome, wheel to wheel but fair.“
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen had to retire his car late in the race, ending a miserable weekend for the four-time world champion.
Oliver Bearman drove brilliantly to claim fifth place for Haas, and Pierre Gasly was sixth for Alpine.
Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), Carlos Sainz (Williams) and Franco Colapinto (Alpine) rounded out the top 10.
Relive all the action of the Formula 1 Chinese Grand Prix on the blog below.
Key Events
18h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 9:43am
That is all for the F1 live blog
One thing is certain about F1 in 2026: Drama.
Oscar Piastri is yet to start a grand prix this season, and McLaren didn’t have either car run in China this afternoon.
Mercedes is again on top, but it is teenager Kimi Antonelli claiming his maiden grand prix victory.
This marks the end of ABC Sport’s live digital coverage of the Chinese Grand Prix.
ABC Sport will be back in two weeks for the Japanese Grand Prix.
We hope you join us then.
Goodnight.
19h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 9:22am
The top 10 (and points scorers) in China
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Oscar Piastri speaks to media about the DNS
We reported on some comments made by Oscar Piastri earlier.
We have more words from the Australian on his DNS in China today.
It was an electrical problem on the power unit, different to Lando’s.
Just very unfortunate to both have issues, but we don’t fully know any more than that at this point so, yeah, obviously disappointing.
On what McLaren can take from this weekend, Piastri said hopefully the team could learn something by watching the grand prix.
I think try and learn what we can by watching the race, then after that just trying to do as much work as we can before Japan.
I think obviously the problems today have been annoying, but I think besides that we know we’ve got work to do to find more performance, so that’s what we’ll try and focus on.
19h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:57am
Lewis Hamilton reflects on maiden podium with Ferrari
For the first time as a Ferrari driver, Lewis Hamilton is on the podium after a grand prix.
Here is what the seven-time world champion had to say.
I have to say a huge congratulations to Kimi, I’m so happy for you Kimi and I’m so pleased to be sharing this moment with him.
I had so much fun, we had a great start but just couldn’t keep these guys behind
It was one of the most enjoyable races I have had in a long time, if not ever. The battle with Charles was awesome, wheel to wheel but fair. I think there was one moment we did touch but it was subtle — just a kiss so it was okay.
A huge thank you to everyone at Ferrari for getting us into this position, we have a great platform to work off.
Kimi Antonelli is in tears. This is a special moment
We love it when drivers show us emotion. Kimi Antonelli cannot hide his.
The young man has had to compose himself while doing his post-race interview.
The teenager has choked up. Fair play to the capacity crowd in China, who gave the Italian a huge cheer of support.
I’m speechless, I’m about to cry to be honest. Thank you to the team for helping me to achieve this dream.
I really wanted to bring Italy back to the top and we did today. Even if I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack with the flat-spot, we did it.
It was not an easy start, I cover too much on the inside and gave too much room to the Ferrari. But we were able to bring it home.
19h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:42am
Kimi Antonelli is beside himself with joy
At just 19 years of age, Kimi Antonelli is one of the youngest grand prix winners ever.
He looks stunned. He almost cannot believe he is a grand prix winner — but he is.
And the Italian is overcome with joy and happiness. His radio message is pure emotion.
YES. WE DID IT, WE DID IT, WE DID IT, MAN
Thank-you everyone. Thank-you so much. You made me achieve one of my dreams.
Lewis Hamilton achieves first podium for Ferrari
George Russell has finished second.
Lewis Hamilton crosses the line third. This is the first podium Hamilton has achieved since joining Ferrari.
Hamilton is on the team radio.
We’ve got work to do, let’s keep pushing but I believe in you.
Forza Ferrari.
Charles Leclerc is fourth.
KIMI ANTONELLI WINS THE CHINESE GRAND PRIX
Bravo Kimi. Bravo.
Kimi Antonelli is a Formula 1 grand prix winner.
He has driven a near-perfect race from pole position (except for going off on lap 53), and he has won the Chinese Grand Prix.
53/56: Antonelli goes off the track
OH BOY. How about the pressure?
Kimi Antonelli has locked his wheels and goes off the track.
The Italian is able to get back onto the track, and he maintains the lead.
His lead is down to seven seconds.
It is still comfortable, but you can feel the pressure.
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5 LAPS TO GO
There are five laps left in the F1 Chinese Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli is driving a perfect race. This has been magnificent from the Italian teenager.
George Russell is second, over 9 seconds off the lead.
Lewis Hamilton is third, 16 seconds off Russell, and Charles Leclerc is fourth.
- Antonelli
- Russell +9.5
- Hamilton +26
- Leclerc +29
- Bearman +55
- Gasly +57
- Lawson +1.14
- Hadjar +1.18
- Sainz +1 LAP
- Colapinmto +1 LAP
Oscar Piastri speaks after his DNS
Oscar Piastri briefly spoke to Sky Sports F1.
He says his McLaren had an electrical issue, but a different problem to the one that plauged Lando Norris’s car.
Not exactly sure what it is, we just know it’s an electrical issue in the PU (power unit). Disappointing.
It’s been a while since I’ve watched two F1 races from the sidelines.
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:23am
47/56: Hamilton is close of a first podium for Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton has not stood on the podium after a grand prix since joining Ferrari.
He is comfortably in third, leading his teammate Charles Leclerc by three seconds.
Hamilton did win the China sprint race last year
45/56: Max Verstappen told to retire
Max Verstappen is going slowly.
He was sixth, battling Haas’s Oliver Bearman for fifth place.
The Dutchman is told to retire the car.
Credit to the Dutchman. He is limping his car back to the pits, trying to ensure there is not a safety car.
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:20am
45/56: Antonelli is holding firm
Kimi Antonelli is looking good.
How must he feel?
Only a mistake or terrible luck will take away a maiden F1 grand prix victory.
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:12am
40/56: Ferrari continue to fight, Antonelli’s lead trims
Charles Leclerc chose to strike on the back straight on lap 39.
He was able to pass his teammate, Lewis Hamilton, and reclaim third place.
But Hamilton was ready to strike back, and fought his teammate on the home straight and overtook his teammate at the first turn.
Meanwhile, Kimi Antonelli’s lead over teammate George Russell is trimming.
The Italian teen held a lead at one point of nearly 8 seconds. With 16 laps to go, that has come down to 6.3 seconds
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:06am
PENALTY 10 SECONDS: Ocon hitting Colapinto
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20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:06am
36/56: Ferraris fight again as Hamilton says he has ‘no power’
Lewis Hamilton has been complaining on the radio.
He says he does not have enough power in his car.
I’ve got no power. Give me something. I’ve come out of the last corner and I’ve got no power.
Well. The seven-time world champion had just enough power on lap 36 to overtake his teammate, Charles Leclerc, and move into third.
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:04am
34/56: Fernando Alonso retires
We are down to 16 runners.
This is who we have lost:
- Alonso
- Stroll
- Piastri (did not start)
- Norris (did not start)
- Bortoleto (did not start)
- Albon (did not start)
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 8:02am
33/56: Colapinto and Ocon hits and spin
Oh dear.
Franco Colapinto has come out of the pits and is going around the sweeping turns 1 and 2.
Esteban Ocon flies down the straight and catches Colapinto at a rate of knots.
Both drivers go for the same apex, and they hit and spin.
20h agoSun 15 Mar 2026 at 7:56am
29/56: George Russell is up to second
George Russell has huffed and puffed, and finally, he overtakes both Ferraris.
The Mercedes driver has just passed Charles Leclerc for second place.
- Antonelli
- Russell +7.9
- Leclerc +0.9
- Hamilton +0.7
