Antonelli reveals Mercedes gave him the original Chinese GP trophy after maiden F1 win

Kimi Antonelli has revealed that Mercedes handed him the original winner’s trophy from his maiden Formula 1 victory at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix, waiving the sport’s customary rule that sees teams retain the hardware while drivers receive high-quality replicas.

The Italian disclosed the gesture in an interview with GQ Magazine, physically showing the trophy he lifted on the podium in China. “This is the trophy of my first victory in China, and this is a moment I’ll never forget,” Antonelli said. “Usually, the originals go to the teams, while we keep the replicas. However, since it was my first win, the team let me have it, especially since you only get one first time.”

Antonelli described the closing stages of the race as a test of composure as much as pace. “Starting from pole position, I knew I had a good chance of being able to get a good result. When there were about fifteen laps to go, I knew I was close to the finish line and that I could do it. It took a long time to realise in that moment what had happened. But it was a truly indescribable moment.”

The Chinese Grand Prix win proved to be the first of six victories for Antonelli in the opening half of the 2026 season. He currently leads the drivers’ championship by 59 points over teammates George Russell and Lewis Hamilton, who are level on points behind him.

The trophy, Antonelli confirmed, now sits in his personal trophy case — a permanent reminder of a milestone that Mercedes chose to mark with more than the standard replica.