Russell warned after Antonelli’s first win: ‘He has a lot less to smile about’

The Bologna-born driver rewrote the Formula 1 record books last weekend, becoming the youngest pole-sitter in history before sealing his maiden victory at just 19, capping off a weekend that proved less convincing for his teammate.

Speaking in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport, Patrese — one of the last Italian drivers to win a Formula 1 race — believes the Briton now has “a lot less to smile about”, suggesting he will be a little more concerned than before.

“Not the kind of driver who could deliver a race like he did on Sunday, making no mistakes, controlling the situation, managing the tyres, and showing that even if George had closed in, he still had more pace in hand. George will be a little worried, I imagine.”

Asked whether the title fight is now effectively a two-horse race between the Mercedes drivers, Patrese added: “They are so dominant that I struggle to see how it could end any differently, at least not right now. And if Kimi starts going faster than Russell, he could even put together a pretty impressive winning streak. Let’s really hope it happens.”

Formula 1 has a new name near the very top of its youngest winners list. Kimi Antonelli’s triumph at the Chinese Grand Prix has propelled the Italian into second place in the all-time rankings.

Only Max Verstappen still stands ahead of him. The Dutchman set the benchmark back in 2016, when he sensationally won the Spanish Grand Prix on his Red Bull debut after Daniil Kvyat was dropped, doing so at just 18 years, seven months and 15 days old.

Antonelli’s victory in Shanghai came at the age of 19 years, six months and 19 days, meaning he now joins Verstappen as one of the very few drivers to win a Formula 1 race before turning 20.