From Verstappen to Antonelli: the 10 youngest Grand Prix winners in Formula 1 history

Another remarkable chapter was added to Formula 1’s history books in Shanghai, where Kimi Antonelli claimed his first Grand Prix victory with a performance that signalled both composure and class beyond his years.

Here’s how his achievement compares to the 10 youngest Grand Prix winners in Formula 1 history.

10. Kimi Raikkonen – Malaysia 2003 (23 years, 5 months)

Like Antonelli, Kimi Raikkonen secured his maiden win in the second race of the season. The Finn triumphed at the 2003 Malaysian Grand Prix in only his 36th start.

Starting seventh, Raikkonen carved through the field, overtaking Nick Heidfeld and benefiting from team mate David Coulthard’s early retirement. He battled strategically with Fernando Alonso and Rubens Barrichello, ultimately building a commanding margin. By his final pit stop he was 53 seconds clear, eventually winning by 39.2 seconds.

9. Oscar Piastri – Hungary 2024 (23 years, 4 months)

Oscar Piastri was marginally younger than Raikkonen when he claimed his first victory at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix.

After qualifying second behind McLaren team mate Lando Norris, Piastri seized the lead at the start. Late-race strategy briefly handed Norris the advantage, but team orders saw the Briton allow Piastri back through on Lap 68. The win secured both his maiden victory and McLaren’s first 1-2 in three years.

8. Lewis Hamilton – Canada 2007 (22 years, 5 months)

Lewis Hamilton’s first win came in his rookie season at the 2007 Canadian Grand Prix.

Starting from pole, he controlled an incident-packed race featuring four Safety Car periods. His measured pace allowed him to pull clear of Heidfeld and win by more than four seconds. It was the beginning of a debut campaign that delivered four victories and second place in the Drivers’ Championship.

7. Bruce McLaren – United States 1959 (22 years, 3 months)

Bruce McLaren became the youngest Grand Prix winner of his era at the 1959 United States Grand Prix at Sebring.

He edged out Cooper team mate Maurice Trintignant by just 0.6 seconds, holding the youngest-winner record for more than four decades. McLaren later founded his own team, winning again in 1968 before stepping back from racing to build what would become one of the sport’s most successful operations.

6. Troy Ruttman – Indianapolis 1952 (22 years, 2 months)

Troy Ruttman won the 1952 Indianapolis 500 when the event formed part of the Formula 1 World Championship.

Though less known among modern F1 audiences, he remains the youngest Indianapolis 500 winner in history. Ruttman later competed in the 1958 French Grand Prix before retiring from motorsport at the age of 34.

5. Fernando Alonso – Hungary 2003 (22 years, 26 days)

Fernando Alonso’s breakthrough came at the 2003 Hungarian Grand Prix, where he started as the youngest-ever polesitter.

He built a decisive lead over Raikkonen and, with 10 laps remaining, even lapped Michael Schumacher on his way to victory. Alonso crossed the line 17 seconds clear, launching a career that would ultimately yield 33 wins and two World Championships.

4. Charles Leclerc – Belgium 2019 (21 years, 10 months)

Charles Leclerc’s maiden victory at Spa-Francorchamps in 2019 was both triumphant and deeply emotional.

Following a minute of silence for his friend Anthoine Hubert, who had tragically died in a Formula 2 accident the previous day, Leclerc led from pole. After briefly falling behind Sebastian Vettel during pit stops, he reclaimed the lead as Vettel struggled with tyre degradation. Despite late pressure from Lewis Hamilton, Leclerc held firm to become the first Monegasque driver to win a Grand Prix.

3. Sebastian Vettel – Italy 2008 (21 years, 2 months)

Sebastian Vettel delivered a stunning performance at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.

In wet conditions and after starting from pole, he controlled the race from the outset, finishing more than 12 seconds ahead of Heikki Kovalainen. The victory made him the youngest winner in F1 history at the time and delivered Toro Rosso’s first triumph.

2. Kimi Antonelli – China 2026 (19 years, 6 months)

Antonelli’s Shanghai masterclass places him second on this list.

The Italian fought through an intense opening phase against team mate Russell and the Ferraris of Leclerc and Hamilton. Maintaining composure throughout, he managed a late scare after running deep at Turn 14 with four laps remaining, yet still crossed the line five seconds clear of the remaining Mercedes.

Overcome with emotion, Antonelli reflected: “I’m super happy. I said I really wanted to bring Italy back on top and we did.”

1. Max Verstappen – Spain 2016 (18 years, 7 months)

The benchmark remains Max Verstappen.

At just 18 years old, the Dutch driver won the 2016 Spanish Grand Prix on his Red Bull debut. After an early collision eliminated Mercedes drivers Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, Verstappen inherited the lead when Daniel Ricciardo pitted. He then resisted sustained pressure from Raikkonen to win by 0.6 seconds, becoming the youngest race winner in Formula 1 history.

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Antonelli’s breakthrough does not rewrite the record books entirely, but it firmly establishes him among the sport’s most precocious talents. In a list filled with World Champions and defining figures, his name now sits just one place shy of the all-time benchmark — and his story is only just beginning.