Kimi Antonelli has established himself among Formula 1’s youngest race winners, following his victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver secured his maiden win at 19 years, six months, and 18 days old, marking a significant entry into the sport’s record books. This achievement made him the first Italian race winner in nearly two decades.
Antonelli’s success in Shanghai came from pole position, where he initially lost the lead to Lewis Hamilton before regaining it on the second lap. He then built a substantial lead while teammate George Russell contended with Ferrari drivers.
The Italian driver continued his strong performance by winning the subsequent four races in succession. By August 2026, Antonelli had accumulated six victories and led the World Drivers’ Championship, positioning him as a contender for the youngest-ever F1 champion title.
Max Verstappen holds the record as Formula 1’s youngest race winner. He achieved his first victory at the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix at 18 years, seven months, and 15 days old.
Verstappen’s win came in his debut race for Red Bull, following a mid-season promotion from Toro Rosso. He capitalised on a first-lap collision between Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, managing a two-stop strategy to hold off Kimi Raikkonen.
Sebastian Vettel is the third youngest winner, having triumphed at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix at 21 years and 73 days. Driving for Toro Rosso, Vettel secured both pole position and victory in wet conditions at Monza.
His dominant performance saw him finish 12.512 seconds ahead of McLaren’s Heikki Kovalainen, marking Toro Rosso’s first-ever Formula 1 win.
Charles Leclerc secured his maiden victory at the 2019 Belgian Grand Prix at 21 years and 320 days old. Starting from pole position, Leclerc fended off challenges from Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton.
The win at Spa-Francorchamps was emotionally charged, as Leclerc dedicated it to Formula 2 driver Anthoine Hubert, who had tragically died the previous day. He held off a late charge from Hamilton to win by 0.981 seconds.
Fernando Alonso became a Grand Prix winner at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, aged 22 years and 26 days. This victory, driving for Renault, made him the youngest F1 winner at that time, breaking a long-standing record.
Alonso dominated the race at the Hungaroring, finishing 16.768 seconds clear of Kimi Raikkonen. This was the first of his 32 career victories and made him the first Spanish driver to win an F1 Grand Prix.
Troy Ruttman holds a unique place on the list, winning the 1952 Indianapolis 500 at 22 years and 80 days old. The Indianapolis 500 was part of the Formula 1 World Championship calendar from 1950 to 1960.
Ruttman started seventh and completed the 500-mile race to secure his victory. He remains the youngest winner of the Indianapolis 500.
Bruce McLaren won the 1959 United States Grand Prix at Sebring at 22 years and 104 days. Driving for Cooper, McLaren inherited the lead on the final lap when teammate Jack Brabham ran out of fuel.
McLaren initially slowed but was waved past by Brabham, winning by 0.6 seconds from Maurice Trintignant. This made him the youngest non-Indy 500 F1 winner, a record he held for 43 years.
Lewis Hamilton secured his first Formula 1 victory at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix at 22 years and 154 days old. This was his sixth career start and came from pole position.
The race at Circuit Gilles Villeneuve featured multiple safety car periods, including a significant crash for Robert Kubica. Hamilton maintained his composure to win, fending off Fernando Alonso and Nick Heidfeld.
Oscar Piastri claimed his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix at 23 years and 102 days. He led much of the race after taking the lead from teammate Lando Norris at the start.
McLaren’s strategy saw Norris undercut Piastri, but Norris was subsequently instructed to yield the position with three laps remaining, securing a McLaren one-two finish.
Kimi Raikkonen achieved his first Formula 1 win at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix at 23 years and 157 days. Starting seventh, he avoided early incidents and demonstrated strong pace.
Raikkonen built a substantial lead after pit stops, ultimately finishing 39.2 seconds ahead of Rubens Barrichello. This dominant performance marked his entry into the list of Grand Prix winners.
