Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest pole-sitter in China, earning high praise from Lewis Hamilton after breaking Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record.

SEVEN-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton lavished praise on Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli after the 19-year-old made history by securing pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix.

Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to take pole for a full grand prix, breaking a record held for nearly 18 years by the now-retired Sebastian Vettel. Vettel was 21 when he took pole for Toro Rosso at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

Hamilton, who qualified third for Sunday’s race, called it a “great record” in a post-qualifying news conference. The Ferrari driver predicted it would “take a while for someone to ever get close to that one”.

The achievement comes after significant scrutiny surrounded Antonelli’s appointment as Hamilton’s replacement at Mercedes for the 2025 season. Pundits questioned if the teenager could fill the void left by the British icon’s shock move to Ferrari.

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff had consistently backed the Italian as a top-tier talent. A beaming Hamilton, seated next to Antonelli, acknowledged the rookie’s immediate impact.

“He took my seat,” Hamilton said with a smile. “And he hit it hard from the get-go, so it’s really great to see him progressing and he really deserves it.”

 The Sun Malaysia