The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Circuit ended with a dramatic flourish on Sunday, as 19-year-old Kimi Antonelli took his maiden Formula 1 victory for Mercedes.

Antonelli's triumph made him the second-youngest Grand Prix winner in F1 history, reinforcing his status as one of the sport's brightest young prospects.

His Mercedes teammate George Russell completed a one-two finish in second, while Lewis Hamilton, now driving for Ferrari, claimed his first podium of the season in third.

This year's Shanghai stop on the F1 world championship has quickly become one of China's headline sporting events. The sport's surging appeal was obvious: grandstands were packed, fan zones were buzzing, and official merchandise disappeared from shelves.

Over three days, the motorsport festival highlighted sustained investment in facilities and fan services. The reopening of the E-stand and upgrades to the Checkered Flag Carnival — expanded to more of Shanghai's landmark locations — raised the energy both at the circuit and across the city.

Event organizer Juss Sports reported that tickets sold out three months before the race. Around 230,000 spectators were expected in total, with about 14 percent coming from overseas. The turnout underlines the growing global pull of the Chinese Grand Prix and strengthens its position as a cornerstone of the F1 calendar.

Among the international supporters was Australian fan Brett Kay, who had just attended the Australian Grand Prix before flying to Shanghai. He was struck by the intensity of the atmosphere.

"I only learned this morning that there are 221 million Chinese fans of Formula 1. It's just extraordinary, and people are so enthusiastic," he said.

For Kay, the weekend was defined by lively fan interactions, attentive paddock support, and even an unexpected meeting with Lewis Hamilton. "It's amazing to see how quickly it's grown here, and hopefully we can see some Chinese drivers in Formula 1 in the future," he added.

Spanish fan Carmen Pacios, visiting the Chinese Grand Prix for the first time, spent five days in Shanghai, taking in the city's scenic spots and sampling local cuisine.

She was especially captivated by an Adidas limited-edition red jacket inspired by traditional Chinese culture. The combination of Shanghai's urban dynamism and the thrill of F1 left her full of praise for the event.

What impressed her most, however, was the passion of Chinese fans. "I think Chinese fans are amazing, like everybody is super involved," she said, describing a level of commitment and warmth she seldom encounters at other circuits.

Li Junfeng contributed to this story.