Max Verstappen's name has sat at the top of this list for nearly a decade, but a teenager in silver has just broken into the all-time rankings with a stunning drive in Shanghai.
Max Verstappen remains the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history — one more entry in the record books for the Red Bull superstar. Back in 2016, Verstappen displaced Sebastian Vettel from the top of this particular list with a breathtaking performance at the Spanish Grand Prix, on his very debut with the senior Red Bull team.
At just 18 years, 7 months and 15 days old, the Dutchman announced himself to the world in Barcelona, expertly neutralising pressure from a Ferrari charge led by Kimi Räikkönen. Nearly a decade on, Verstappen has four world titles to his name — and his record as F1's most precocious winner remains intact.
Before Verstappen claimed it, the record had been held by Sebastian Vettel, who set it with an extraordinary victory for Toro Rosso at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix. Now, a new name has entered the conversation: Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, who slots into second place after his brilliant win at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix — a performance that also ended a 20-year wait for an Italian victory in Formula 1.
- Max Verstappen — 18 years, 7 months, 15 days — Spanish Grand Prix 2016 — Red Bull Racing
- Kimi Antonelli — 19 years, 6 months, 19 days — Chinese Grand Prix 2026 — Mercedes
- Sebastian Vettel — 21 years, 2 months, 11 days — Italian Grand Prix 2008 — Toro Rosso
- Charles Leclerc — 21 years, 10 months, 16 days — Belgian Grand Prix 2019 — Ferrari
- Fernando Alonso — 22 years, 0 months, 26 days — Hungarian Grand Prix 2003 — Renault
- Troy Ruttman — 22 years, 2 months, 19 days — Indianapolis 1952 — J.C. Agajanian
- Bruce McLaren — 22 years, 3 months, 12 days — United States Grand Prix 1959 — Cooper-Climax
- Lewis Hamilton — 22 years, 5 months, 3 days — Canadian Grand Prix 2007 — McLaren
- Oscar Piastri — 23 years, 3 months, 15 days — Hungarian Grand Prix 2024 — McLaren
- Kimi Räikkönen — 23 years, 5 months, 6 days — Malaysian Grand Prix 2003 — McLaren
What happened at the Chinese GP?
The second race of the season brought another wave of retirements and mechanical failures. Before the lights even went out, it was confirmed that Gabriel Bortoleto and Alexander Albon would not take the start. McLaren were also forced to watch from the garage, with both Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri among those unable to begin the race.
With four cars already in the DNF column at the start, Lewis Hamilton led away from pole, with Charles Leclerc advancing to third in the opening laps. Franco Colapinto also gained ground in the early stages, while Sergio Pérez's race ended almost before it began — the Mexican driver making contact with his own teammate, Valtteri Bottas.
Mercedes did not take long to reassert themselves. By lap three, Kimi Antonelli had moved to the front and began to settle into a rhythm. The order appeared to stabilise until lap 11, when Lance Stroll's retirement brought out the Safety Car. Colapinto opted to stay out during the caution period, allowing him to gain track position, though he fell back to fifth on the restart. Antonelli retained the lead throughout.
On lap 25, two battles erupted simultaneously. Up ahead, Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton were locked in a duel for third, while further back, Franco Colapinto was working hard to hold off Esteban Ocon for fifth. By lap 29, George Russell had made his way back to second, having cleared the Ferrari duo — who were still embroiled in their own fight — without much difficulty. Colapinto, meanwhile, was still running eighth without having stopped.
His long stint came to an end on lap 33, but the pit stop proved costly. Rejoining just ahead of Ocon, the two made contact, dropping the Argentine to twelfth.
In the closing stages, the retirement tally continued to climb. Fernando Alonso was forced to park his Aston Martin due to vibrations, and Max Verstappen followed him into the garage with mechanical troubles of his own. Leclerc eventually disengaged from his battle with Hamilton, choosing to consolidate rather than risk his position on the podium. Antonelli, commanding throughout, brought it home to take victory — Italy's first Formula 1 winner in twenty years.