Formula 1 News: 2026 Chinese GP Post-Race Press Conference
The post-race press conference for the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, held at the Shanghai International Circuit, featured the top three finishers: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes, 1st place), George Russell (Mercedes, 2nd place), and Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari, 3rd place). Below are the key highlights, followed by the full transcript.
–by Mark Cipolloni–
2026 Chinese GP Post-Race Press Conference Highlights
1. Kimi Antonelli’s Emotional First Victory
– Antonelli, the young Italian driver, expressed overwhelming joy and gratitude for his first Grand Prix win, marking the first victory by an Italian in 20 years. He admitted to nearly crying and described the achievement as a “dream come true,” crediting his Mercedes team for their support.
– On the race: He discussed a challenging start where he defended too aggressively on the inside, allowing Ferraris to pass, but praised the car’s pace, especially on hard tires. A late-race flat spot from a mistake added tension, but he maintained composure to secure the win.
– Lessons learned: Antonelli emphasized the importance of staying focused and not relaxing prematurely, noting the cold conditions as a valuable test for tire management. He viewed the race as a “massive lesson” in procedures and maintaining performance.
– Future outlook: Focused on race-by-race improvement, he acknowledged the challenge of competing against teammate George Russell but highlighted learning from him. Celebrations were planned for the following day after flying home.
2. George Russell’s Perspective on Team Success and Battles
– Russell congratulated Antonelli on his milestone, calling it a “special day” and praising his strong performance throughout the year. He was pleased with Mercedes’ 1-2 finish, despite wanting the win himself.
– Race recap: He lamented poor starts that allowed Ferraris to take early leads, a recurring issue in the first three races. Russell felt in control after regaining P2 but noted the Safety Car timing impacted strategy.
– On the competition: He described the battles with the Ferraris as tough, requiring more tire wear, but celebrated the team’s overall dominance.
3. Lewis Hamilton’s Thrilling Podium Return and Fair Racing
– Hamilton, now with Ferrari, warmly congratulated Antonelli, expressing honor in sharing the podium and happiness for Mercedes’ success. He noted Antonelli “took my seat” at his former team.
– Race enjoyment: Described the Grand Prix as one of the most fun in years, highlighting a great start and wheel-to-wheel battles, including a “subtle kiss” of contact with teammate Charles Leclerc. He praised the 2026 cars for enabling fair, exciting racing.
– Team and crowd: Thanked Ferrari’s Maranello team for a solid platform to build on, despite not being at the front. He remarked on the record crowd in Shanghai, calling it the most attendees ever seen there.
– Push forward: Emphasized the need to “go full gas” to close the gap to Mercedes, viewing the podium as a strong foundation.
4. Notable Discussions and Media Q&A Themes
– Team Dynamics and Rivalries: The conference underscored Mercedes’ early-season edge with back-to-back 1-2 finishes, while Ferrari showed fight but struggled with consistency. Drivers highlighted intra-team and inter-team battles as highlights of the new regulations.
– Safety Car and Strategy: Timing of interventions was mentioned as a factor in race outcomes, adding unpredictability.
– Broader Context: Antonelli’s win was framed as a boost for Italian motorsport, and Hamilton noted the evolving car designs improving overtaking and spectacle.
– Atmosphere and Fan Engagement: Multiple references to the massive Shanghai crowd and the joy of close racing suggested a positive vibe for the sport’s global appeal.
Overall, the press conference captured a mix of elation, tactical insights, and optimism for the 2026 season, with Antonelli’s breakthrough stealing the spotlight amid Mercedes’ commanding form.
2026 Chinese GP Post-Race Press Conference Full Transcript
DRIVERS
1 – Kimi ANTONELLI (Mercedes)
2 – George RUSSELL (Mercedes)
3 – Lewis HAMILTON (Ferrari)
TRACK INTERVIEWS
(Conducted by David Coulthard)
Q: Kimi Antonelli, congratulations on your first Grand Prix victory.
Kimi ANTONELLI: Thank you so much. Yeah, I’m speechless. I’m about to cry, to be honest. But yeah, thank you so much to my team because they helped me to achieve this dream.
Q: You’re the first Italian to win for 20 years, so a hugely significant moment for your country as well.
KA: Yeah, I’m super happy. I said yesterday that I really wanted to bring Italy back on top, and we did today. Even though I gave myself a little bit of a heart attack towards the end with a flat spot, it was a good race.
Q: What was incredible was how mature you were. You had to fight hard with George into the first corner, giving up position to the Ferraris, but that decision there won you this big lead towards the end and ultimately the Grand Prix.
KA: Yeah, it was difficult. It was not an easy start and probably I covered a bit too much on the inside and gave too much room to the Ferrari. But at the end the pace was good and we managed to bring it home.
Q: I’m going to come back to you, so stay there. George, well, it was a busy one for you. You had the two duelling Ferraris to deal with. It looked to me like you had to take a bit more out of your tires when you were in that battle. First of all, your thoughts on Kimi’s first victory. You remember getting yours. And then get into your Grand Prix.
George RUSSELL: First, a huge congratulations to Kimi because it’s always very special to win your first race, and obviously he’s been driving really amazingly this year and this weekend especially. Yeah, pleased to be standing on the podium with him and also with this guy as well. So, it was a tough battle. Obviously, we both had really bad starts again and the Ferraris shot past, but at the end of the day getting the one-two again is all we could ask for.
Q: Okay George, thank you. Lewis, I never thought I’d be saying “welcome back to the podium”. Last year was a bit uncomfortable at times, other than the Sprint victory, but the first two races of this season have shown the fight is there. It was wheel-to-wheel stuff with your team-mate and he came on the radio and said he was enjoying the battle. How was it for you?
Lewis HAMILTON: Well firstly, I have to say a huge congratulations to Kimi. I’m so, so happy for you, buddy, and I’m so honoured to be able to share this moment with him. He took my seat, obviously, at this great team. So big congratulations to Mercedes, they’re really pulling ahead at the moment. We’ve got a lot of work to do to try and keep up, but I had so much fun. We had a great start. I wasn’t able to keep these guys behind, but to stay in the fight is one of the most enjoyable races that I’ve had in a long, long time, if ever. The fact that the cars are the way they are this year, and that battle with Charles at the end was awesome. Great wheel-to-wheel battle, very fair and just what we want. We’ve got to keep pushing. Also, this is the most people I’ve ever seen here in Shanghai, so they loved it.
Q: They love you. There were moments when you were battling with your team-mate where we were standing back in the commentary box and we thought, “How can you guys not end up touching?” That was real, real racing.
LH: I think there was one moment we did touch, but it was subtle, just a kiss, so it’s okay. But that’s what this is about. It’s about tough racing. I’ve got to say a huge thank you to everyone at Ferrari, everyone back at Maranello, for getting us into this position. I know it’s not exactly where we want to be. We want to be up front where these guys are, but we’ve got a great platform to work off and we’ve just got to literally go full gas. So, to everyone back home, thank you.
Q: Lewis, enjoy that podium. Kimi, coming back to you, you’ve had time to reflect on your first victory now, so has it sunk in? What does this mean now for the dreams of a championship campaign with George?
Kimi ANTONELLI: Yeah, I mean, we’re just at the beginning. We keep pushing. George is an incredible driver, very strong in all aspects, so it’s going to take a lot to beat him. But it’s such a great opportunity to be working with him as well because I’ve been learning a lot from him. Looking forward to the rest of the season now. I always focus race by race and then we’ll see where we end up at the end of the year.
PRESS CONFERENCE
Q: What a day for you, Kimi. Many congratulations. How sweet was the view from the top step of the podium?
KA: Yeah, I’m super, super happy. Such an incredible day and very grateful for achieving my first win. The team did an incredible job. The car is super quick and it’s allowing us to fight for wins. I’m really happy because they also helped me to achieve one of my big dreams. Yeah, just super, super happy.
Q: Did you always have confidence in the car and how it would end up, even when Lewis took the lead at the start?
KA: Yeah, I mean, the start is still our weak point and to be fair I didn’t go with great confidence because my two previous starts were really bad, so I didn’t know what to expect. But obviously, I covered a little bit too much on the inside and left too much space on the outside, so probably need to review that. But pace was still good, especially I felt good on the Hards, even though at the end I relaxed a bit too much and did a mistake which put a bit of pressure. But still managed to bring it home.
Q: You seemed very calm and composed throughout. What do you think is the biggest lesson you’ve learned today with win number one?
KA: There’s so much that I’ve learned, but first of all it’s never to relax too much because today it went well, but it could have been worse. So just always try to stay on point and keep the focus because today at the end I opened the room for mistakes and the mistake happened. I just need to make sure it doesn’t happen again. And then of course also just trying to focus on doing things right, procedure-wise, warm-up, bringing the tire into the stint. I think it was a massive lesson. Also today was very cold and it was a good lesson to see what was the best way to keep the tires in a good window.
Q: Are you going to take time to pause to celebrate tonight?
KA: Well, I’m flying home tonight, but definitely tomorrow I will take time to celebrate. Also, I think it will take a little bit of time to realise what has just happened. But yeah, super happy and of course massive thanks to the team, all the boys and girls in Brackley and Brixworth, and of course massive thanks to my family. Looking forward to the next one.
Q: Very well done. Thank you for that. Kimi, George, let’s come to you now. I know you wanted to win the Grand Prix today, but can we start just by getting your thoughts on Kimi getting that first win and his pace today?
GR: Yeah, really special day for Kimi, so huge congratulations to him. It’s obviously a day he’s going to remember forever. Again, it was just the Ferraris made our life very difficult once again. Three races down and three of those times they’ve taken the lead from us. But I felt in a pretty good place, so I got back into P2. Then, also the Safety Car timing, it was just a bit unfortunate, and coming out behind Colapinto and Ocon hindered my chances. But all things considered this weekend, after what happened in quali, P2 is a very solid result.
Q: As you say, you spent quite a lot of time amongst the Ferraris. What did you learn about their pace and where they were fast?
GR: Well, I was just waiting for the two of them to collide and somehow they didn’t. It was some of the most aggressive racing I’ve seen for a while. If I wasn’t trying to win the race, I’d have been enjoying the battle, but obviously watching Kimi pull away during those points it was a little bit annoying. But Ferrari definitely very quick. They’re quicker in the corners than us, slower than us on the straight, so it just made it a little bit challenging. And when you’re trying to get past two of them at the same point, that wasn’t straightforward. But as it stands, we have the upper hand, but we can’t take that for granted because obviously we know some things are going to be changing in a couple of months. The upgrades are massive at the moment, so yeah, let’s see where it falls out.
Q: And did the time you lost among the Ferraris cost you the opportunity of challenging Kimi a little closer?
GR: I think it would have been very difficult to challenge Kimi, to be honest. He’s been very quick this weekend and when you’ve got two cars that are very similar pace, trying to get past on the same tires is a little bit challenging. But obviously that time I lost with the Ferraris just gave me no chance. But as I said, I’m pleased just to be in P2 because it could have been a lot worse, and overall, it’s been a solid weekend.
Q: Very well done to you. Thank you. And to Lewis, many congratulations. You have 203 Formula One podiums to your name. Just how special was this one?
LH: I’ve already said it, but a huge congratulations to this one here because it was amazing yesterday to be up here with him whilst he got his first pole, and now to get the first win.. It’s truly special getting your first Grand Prix win, I remember getting my first. To be…
KA: I was one year old, by the way.
LH: Ha! You were born in 2006, right? That’s ridiculous! So, it’s amazing to see that. After so many years and then seeing him come through and seeing talented young people who truly deserve it get to the top, it’s really awesome. So, congratulations, mate. And then for me, I started this voyage and this dream of moving to Ferrari and being on the top step with them, and this podium has taken longer than I had hoped. After a difficult year last year, to be able to be a part of developing with them, working with them over the past year, gives me huge pride and it’s such a privilege to be a part of this brand. They provided us a really solid car. As George was saying, we’ve got a great package, particularly through corners, just got to step it up to be able to keep up with them on the straights. But yeah, it’s a very special day, and especially as it’s, I guess, Mother’s Day. My mum’s here, and yeah, it’s been an awesome week.
Q: George referenced it a moment ago, the battle you had with Charles. How on edge was it? How much did you enjoy it? And is it easier to follow in this year’s cars than last year?
LH: Yeah, the cars are easier to follow, much better than past years. You can get very close. There’s not a bad wake where you’re losing too much downforce. I think it’s the best racing that I’ve ever experienced in Formula 1. Of course, these guys are pulling past us at crazy speeds, but to be able to all be so close… It’s great that we have the good start at the moment and hopefully that stays the same through the year. Given that they’ve gone for a different option where they have more power, we’ve got to figure out how we can improve our straight-line speed. But hopefully it was an exciting race to watch for you guys because it was awesome in the car. It felt like go-karting, back and forth, back and forth, and you could really position your car in a nice way where there was a thin piece of paper between us sometimes, but we didn’t exchange any paint. I think that’s down to great drivers and respect.
Q: It was thrilling. Final one for me. Looking ahead, does your first win with Ferrari feel close?
LH: I definitely feel that I could say that it’s more in sight than ever before. Last year it couldn’t have been further from view. But I think as you’ve seen, these guys in qualifying — somehow we were a little bit closer in qualifying yesterday — but in the race trim I think they’ve got four or five tenths on us at the moment. That’s a huge step to pick up, both in downforce and efficiency and also power. That’s a huge upgrade that we need to push for. But I really do believe in everyone back in Maranello and that it’s not an impossible feat to overcome. So yeah, forza Ferrari, we’ve just got to keep pushing.
QUESTIONS FROM THE FLOOR
Q: (Fred Ferret – l’Equipe) Question to Lewis. We saw you battling with Charles and using batteries, boost and overtake. Was it tough this winter to work on that, and did it take time to be like a student on that new way of using the car?
LH: Very much so. Very much so. I think in testing actually I didn’t really get to experience it. It’s really more in these three races that we’ve had, with the Sprint race and this race and obviously Melbourne, that it’s really become apparent when you’re surrounded by the cars in the fight what battery usage is like, and when you have the boost, how to utilise it and all those sorts of things. So, very, very challenging. I mean, I don’t necessarily feel a huge step compared to these guys – when the boost is there, when you’re within that one second, they’re still pulling away on the straight. So we overall just need more. But it is much more study, I would say, than any other era that I’ve had, and you have to be very, very meticulous and pay attention to the fine detail.
Q: (Luke Smith – The Athletic) Kimi, congratulations on the win. After the race you got out of the car and Toto was there. You got a good embrace with him and Bono as well. Obviously, your dad is here this weekend too. How special has it been to share all this with the people who’ve been so invested in your journey and took that bet on you, put you in the car last year?
KA: Yeah, it’s been great to have also my dad here, to share this moment with him because he’s been part of this whole journey since karting. Also, with Bono and Toto — Toto took me in the team in 2018 and brought me all the way to Formula 1. He gave me the opportunity last year to put me in the car, and then again, this year. So definitely it’s been a great journey so far. But of course, there’s still a long way, but we’re on a good path and I’ve been enjoying a lot the time with Mercedes, with the whole team. Just looking forward to the future.
Q: (Niharika Ghorpade – Sportskeeda) A question for Lewis. Lewis, talking about your podium, individually, how much of a mental boost is this particular podium for you? And looking ahead to the year, does this build the momentum for maybe a more confident athlete out of you compared in contrast to last season or even before?
LH: I think I came into the season with the confidence that I’ve used to have, and I think I’ve stuck at it. And I would say in combination with things like this is the biggest crowd I’ve ever seen here in Shanghai. When we were doing the drivers’ parade, we went up to Turn 11, 12, and that grandstand has been closed for, I think, almost 20 years, and it was amazing. I was so shocked to see it completely full. So, I really have to say a huge thank you to everyone here in Shanghai that came out to support our sport. And then Team LH China are unbelievable. They’re just the sweetest and most incredible supporters. My mum got to see it this weekend, which I think was really cool for her to witness the sincerity and the amazing support. So, they lift me up. And yeah, definitely this result — I’ve been pushing for a podium. It’s the hardest thing just to get a podium compared to a lot through my career and it was the biggest challenge to get that, and I just had to bide my time. I think coming into the season I really cultivated that really positive mental attitude and I’m taking that forward with me.
Q: (Phil Duncan – PA) Lewis, I guess just following on from that, do you feel as though you’re now back to your best after a bit of a tricky first year? And does a result like this serve as a springboard to giving you that hope that you can get that eighth world championship?
LH: I definitely feel like I’m back to my best, both mentally and physically, yes. I still think there’s room to improve. Training this winter has been the heaviest and the most intense that I’ve ever had, and that probably comes hand in hand with being older. It takes longer to recover. But I’ve managed to pull these new tools together. I’ve got a great trainer that I’ve been working with in the past, but we worked together since Christmas Day. Then the time at the factory, obviously new engineer, and that’s obviously been a real good boost as well. Great morale within the team. And as I said, I just decided on Christmas Day how I was going to start this season. I decided what I was going to do mentally and I’m going to continue to tweak that. I do think there’s more to come. I think I can still eke out more performance from this car. I’m still learning about it as I go, particularly with deployment and that. Then on the backside, mid to end of last year, digging deep with the engineers and talking to them about the things that I wanted from a car that I didn’t have any part of developing last year, to then develop the car with them this year and to see them listen and put some of those things that I’d asked for on the car, I’m incredibly grateful to them for listening on that side of things. It just makes you feel more united with everyone because you’re moving in the same direction. So, I’m looking forward to getting back next week to Maranello and seeing everybody. Yeah, big, big push.
Q: (Molly Hudson – The Times) I think Toto said yesterday it was a little bit like having three Mercedes drivers up there for a second, so I guess what was it like for all of you to share that moment with each other, and for Lewis especially to have Bono there?
KA: I mean, first of all, it’s incredible to be sharing the podium with George and Lewis because George came through the junior academy like me and he’s part of the family. Lewis has made history with Mercedes and obviously it’s great for Mercedes. Yeah, I think it was a very special moment for all of us.
GR: Yeah, I mean, if we could probably all choose who we’d share the podium with, probably with each other to be honest. Obviously, I had the pleasure of being team-mates with Lewis for those years and learned so much, and then obviously being team-mates with Kimi for the past year and a bit and seeing his growth. He’s such a talented driver and he’s going to be giving me a hard time this year, no doubt. So that was really special and it was nice just to be with each other up there.
LH: Yeah, I mean, to continue on what these guys said, obviously to have been such a part of Mercedes through my career — they supported me from almost day one, 1997, I was 13 — so to then go through that journey with them and have the success with them, and obviously George and I had some difficult years in that past era, so it’s really special to see them back at the front because it’s a phenomenal team. And I know we’ve got our work cut out to beat them because when they’re on form like this it’s not easy to beat. To see George come through the sport and then get to Formula 1, and now see Kimi come through and to be able to be here with them, especially as Kimi took my seat. And then Bono, I’ve worked with for so long, so it’s like sitting here with my whole family. So that’s great.
Q: (Weian Mao – Formula Vision) What a weekend, congratulations to all of you for the weekend. What a way to finish the 19th edition of the Chinese Grand Prix. This question is a bit for George and then Lewis because Kimi is a bit young for this. Later this year we will have Formula E, three races here in China, and later this year the FIA will return for the Assembly and the Prize Giving. So, what do you see in terms of motor sport? China has come a long way, and what do you think the future could be? Do you think we should have or could we have a Chinese manufacturer join the grid?
GR: I think, like Lewis said, it’s the first time we’ve ever had the grandstand at Turn 11 and 12 full. I would say this is without doubt the most amount of support I personally have ever received at a race, bar my home Grand Prix. It just feels like the Chinese fans and everybody in Shanghai is really loving and embracing Formula 1, and it’s just getting stronger and stronger. So yeah, for sure this is a race to stay. And regarding a Chinese brand, yeah, who knows? It could be a good addition potentially.
LH: Well firstly, this circuit is phenomenal. That grandstand, it’s incredible. We did the drivers’ parade, we were looking at it, I took a picture of it, and it’s stood the test of time – the whole paddock, the whole place, and the track is awesome to drive. It’s one of the best tracks in the world and one I’ve always loved racing on. I think it’s great that racing and motor sport has continued to grow in China. You’ve got so many amazing car manufacturers here that are as good, if not better, than many around the rest of the world, so it could be great to see one come through at some stage.
Q: (Oleg Karpov – Motorsport.com) Kimi, have you managed to speak to Isack after yesterday? I think you attempted to apologise. He didn’t really react well to that. Did you clear the air?
KA: Yeah, I did today in the drivers’ parade and it’s all good. Of course, yesterday it was definitely my mistake because I ran into him, of course not on purpose, and I damaged his race. So, I take my responsibility and after the race of course I went to apologise. He was in the heat of the moment. We know how Isack is sometimes, especially in the heat of the moment, so I wasn’t too bothered by it because today it was all fine again.
Q: (Reilly Sullivan – FHM Australia) Lewis, you’re a huge part of the history of this race here in Shanghai and motor sport in China. How important is it, do you think, to continue to expand into new regions and countries around the world?
LH: I think you can see the sport has taken so many monumental steps. During my time here, in the early days it was kind of not progressing much, and obviously with the growth through Liberty and the steps they’ve taken… Again, in the beginning it was really frowned upon, I think, by some of the people that didn’t really want much change within the sport. And now they’re seeing it’s actually been great for the sport just to see it grow into new audiences. The fact is we’re in so many countries still, but I always talk about it that there’s one continent that we’re not at currently, and I think we’ve got to definitely create more opportunity for things in the future and different places to go potentially. There are still so many amazing circuits around the world. We’ve obviously got Madrid coming on, two races in Spain that we used to have… Yeah, maybe in the future that could be a slot for another race maybe. But yeah, I’m really, really just looking forward to seeing the sport continue to grow. We’ve got the second movie we’re going to work on soon maybe and I’m sure ‘Drive to Survive’ has also been a huge part of that development as well.