Chinese Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli breaks F1 record to claim pole position - ESPN

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 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 teammate Antonelli's lap, with the Italian ending the session 0.222 seconds clear.

Antonelli (19 years, six months and 18 days old) breaks Sebastian Vettel's record, held for 18 years, as the youngest driver to take top spot in qualifying.

Vettel was 21 years, two months and 11 days old when he stormed to the 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.

Russell continued his flawless start to the season with victory in the earlier sprint race to extend his championship advantage to 11 points.

He headed into qualifying as the man to beat but first reported problems with his Mercedes in Q2.

«Something is not right with the car,» he said. «I've got major understeer. It is like the front wing is broken. Check the car.»

Mercedes started their investigation as soon as Russell returned to the pits but just moments into Q3, he had stopped on track.

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