https://www.scmp.com/rss/523383/feed The latest news and top stories on Charles Leclerc, a Monegasque racing driver who competes in Formula One races for Scuderia Ferrari since 2019 after a debut season with Sauber in 2018. He has a background in karting, winning the GP3 Series in 2016 and the FIA Formula 2 Championship in 2017. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Agence France-Presse,Reuters Agence France-Presse,Reuters Italian teenager Kimi Antonelli, the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history, will seek to complete a hat-trick of early season victories this weekend as F1 returns after a month’s enforced absence due to the Middle East war. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver, triumphant in China and Japan, leads teammate George Russell, who won the season-opening Australian race, by nine points ahead of what is effectively the start of another season, complete with revised rules and widespread car... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3352018/formula-1-returns-miami-after-forced-break-rule-tweaks-antonelli-hat-trick-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3352018/formula-1-returns-miami-after-forced-break-rule-tweaks-antonelli-hat-trick-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:00:09 +0000 Reuters Reuters Formula One enters an enforced five-week break with plenty to ponder following Sunday’s Japanese ⁠Grand Prix. The third race of the ⁠sport’s new engine era exposed the shortcomings of the ⁠rules overhaul, billed as Formula One’s most sweeping ever, in a way the first two in Australia and China had not. The hybrid power units, now split nearly 50-50 between electric and combustion power, have introduced an element of energy management to the racing with fresh challenges for drivers. They are... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348470/formula-ones-governing-body-has-plenty-ponder-about-new-rules-during-5-week-break?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348470/formula-ones-governing-body-has-plenty-ponder-about-new-rules-during-5-week-break?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:30:09 +0000 Sumnima Kandangwa,Reuters Sumnima Kandangwa,Reuters Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli overcame a slow start to record ⁠his second straight win ⁠on Sunday at the Japanese ⁠Grand Prix in Suzuka, Japan. Antonelli, who recorded his maiden win two weeks ago in China, became the youngest-ever person to lead the drivers’ standings after finishing the race in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 3.403 seconds. “It’s been a big step,” said ⁠Antonelli, whose 72 points in the driver’s standings are nine more than teammate George ‌Russell. “Experience does a lot – obviously... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3348386/meet-f1-driver-kimi-antonelli-who-just-won-japanese-grand-prix-suzuka?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3348386/meet-f1-driver-kimi-antonelli-who-just-won-japanese-grand-prix-suzuka?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:00:21 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse ⁠Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli won the Japanese Grand Prix on Sunday for his second straight victory as the 19-year-old Italian became the youngest driver in Formula 1 history to lead the world championship standings. Antonelli took advantage of a mid-race safety car to leapfrog into the lead after a dreadful start from pole position at Suzuka and eventually led home McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. He whooped with delight as he crossed the line, telling his team “the pace was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348286/formula-1-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-overcomes-bad-start-win-japanese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348286/formula-1-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-overcomes-bad-start-win-japanese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 29 Mar 2026 07:10:44 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Japanese Grand Prix ahead of teammate George Russell on Saturday as Mercedes tightened their stranglehold on the new Formula One season. The Silver Arrows have claimed one-two finishes at both grands prix so far this year and they were again ahead of the field in dry conditions in Suzuka. The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history two weeks ago in China and he made it two in a row with a fastest lap of one minute,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348250/kimi-antonelli-claims-pole-position-japanese-grand-prix-ahead-teammate-george-russell?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348250/kimi-antonelli-claims-pole-position-japanese-grand-prix-ahead-teammate-george-russell?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 28 Mar 2026 10:30:07 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse McLaren’s Oscar Piastri powered to the fastest time in Friday’s second practice for the Japanese Grand Prix, usurping the dominant Mercedes of Kimi Antonelli and George Russell. Piastri is yet to even start a grand prix this season but the Australian gave a reminder of his talent with a lap of one minute, 30.133 seconds in dry, sunny conditions at Suzuka. The 19-year-old Italian Antonelli, who won the first grand prix of his career in China two weeks ago, was second, 0.092 seconds behind... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348169/mclarens-oscar-piastri-outshines-mercedes-duo-go-fastest-japanese-grand-prix-practice?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3348169/mclarens-oscar-piastri-outshines-mercedes-duo-go-fastest-japanese-grand-prix-practice?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 27 Mar 2026 12:30:20 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Max Verstappen said that the Japanese Grand Prix is one of his favourite races, but his chances of a fifth straight victory at the weekend look vanishingly slim as his Red Bull struggles with Formula One’s sweeping new regulations. Mercedes drivers George Russell and Kimi Antonelli will carry their early dominance into Suzuka, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton their nearest challengers. Red Bull and Verstappen are scrambling to recover from a disastrous start to the Formula One... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3347815/max-verstappens-japanese-grand-prix-win-streak-under-threat-mercedes-dominate?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3347815/max-verstappens-japanese-grand-prix-win-streak-under-threat-mercedes-dominate?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 25 Mar 2026 06:05:45 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The 19-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli took pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, becoming the youngest driver to achieve the feat in Formula 1 history. Antonelli led a Mercedes front-row lockout along with George Russell and erased the record of Sebastian Vettel, who was 21 when he took pole for the Italian Grand Prix in 2008. “I’m happy with the lap I did,” Antonelli told reporters. “And really happy to be starting on pole for my first time.” The Mercedes duo, as in Australia... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346618/chinese-grand-prix-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-youngest-take-formula-1-pole-position?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346618/chinese-grand-prix-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-youngest-take-formula-1-pole-position?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 14:30:08 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse George Russell won “a pretty fun” sprint race at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday, as the Mercedes driver continued his early-season dominance by leading home both Ferraris to extend his world championship lead. Russell enjoyed a ding-dong battle in the opening laps with seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, as the pair traded places at the front several times. Later he had to fend off the second Ferrari of Charles Leclerc after a late safety car, with the Monegasque driver coming home... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346578/formula-1-george-russell-wins-exciting-sprint-race-mercedes-chinese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346578/formula-1-george-russell-wins-exciting-sprint-race-mercedes-chinese-grand-prix?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 14 Mar 2026 04:42:31 +0000 Reuters Reuters Formula 1 championship leader George Russell put Mercedes on pole position for the first sprint race of the season in China on Friday in a front-row lockout with teammate Kimi Antonelli. Russell led every ‌phase of the session at the Shanghai circuit to take his first career sprint pole in a time of one minute, 31.520 seconds. Antonelli was 0.289 slower. McLaren’s Lando Norris will start third after the reigning champion told stewards he had not been on a proper “push” ‌lap when Antonelli, who... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346497/formula-1-george-russell-puts-mercedes-pole-chinese-grand-prix-sprint-race?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346497/formula-1-george-russell-puts-mercedes-pole-chinese-grand-prix-sprint-race?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 13 Mar 2026 09:09:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters Ferrari have won nothing in Formula 1 since ⁠Lewis Hamilton’s Saturday sprint victory in Shanghai a year ago and this weekend’s return to China is a chance for both to close a circle. Ferrari, who last won a grand prix in 2024, were Mercedes’ closest rivals in the Australian season-opener last weekend, with Charles Leclerc third and Hamilton fourth behind the one-two of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. “For me, the prevailing feeling is now we have a ‌fight on our hands with Ferrari,” Toto... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346344/formula-1-chinese-grand-prix-hamilton-returns-scene-his-first-and-only-ferrari-win?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346344/formula-1-chinese-grand-prix-hamilton-returns-scene-his-first-and-only-ferrari-win?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:00:09 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Formula One’s new era heads into its first sprint in Shanghai this weekend, with the Chinese Grand Prix promising a very different test from Melbourne, where George Russell led home a Mercedes one-two. The Silver Arrows dominated the season-opener, Russell winning from Kimi Antonelli and followed home by the Ferrari pair of Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton in the first race under sweeping new regulations. Lando Norris and McLaren struggled, the British world champion trailing home fifth and... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346195/chinese-grand-prix-shanghais-sprint-race-presents-huge-challenge-formula-1s-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3346195/chinese-grand-prix-shanghais-sprint-race-presents-huge-challenge-formula-1s-new-era?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 11 Mar 2026 11:00:10 +0000 Reuters Reuters George Russell ⁠struck the first ⁠blow in the Formula ⁠One championship for Mercedes as he claimed an emphatic victory in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix ahead of teammate Kimi Antonelli and crushed an early challenge from Ferrari. Having ‌dominated qualifying, pole-sitter Russell’s first win at Albert Park underlined Mercedes’ promising pre-season form while giving the team their first Melbourne victory since Valtteri Bottas claimed the 2019 race. “Great job ‌everybody, it’s been a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345857/formula-1-russell-and-mercedes-dominate-australian-grand-prix-crush-ferrari-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345857/formula-1-russell-and-mercedes-dominate-australian-grand-prix-crush-ferrari-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 08 Mar 2026 05:53:41 +0000 Reuters Reuters George Russell took pole ⁠position and teammate Kimi Antonelli locked up the front row as Mercedes confirmed their off-season promise by dominating qualifying at Formula One’s season-opening Australian Grand Prix on Saturday. Briton Russell lapped Albert Park’s street circuit in one minute, 18.518 seconds, a mark that was 0.293 seconds ahead of Italian Antonelli, who came back from a huge crash in the ‌final free practice earlier in the day. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar was third quickest but nearly... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345804/australian-grand-prix-mercedes-russell-antonelli-top-qualifying-verstappen-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345804/australian-grand-prix-mercedes-russell-antonelli-top-qualifying-verstappen-crashes?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 07 Mar 2026 08:24:51 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse The start of any Formula One season is a game of smoke and mirrors: this one, which gets under way in Melbourne on March 8, has the added intrigue of sweeping changes that could shake up the established order. For all the pre-season testing, the finger-pointing, the accusations of “sandbagging” and loopholes in the new regulations, the guessing games have left us nowhere closer to predicting how the 24-race 2026 season will pan out. Beyond the obvious, of course: the champion will come from one... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345423/new-rules-same-old-suspects-formula-1-season-set-be-among-most-intriguing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3345423/new-rules-same-old-suspects-formula-1-season-set-be-among-most-intriguing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 04 Mar 2026 14:00:12 +0000 SCMP Style Reporter SCMP Style Reporter With a breezy, playful style inspired by the Mediterranean spirit of the South of France, APM Monaco has quickly established itself as a leader in jewellery. Offering creativity and style that’s accessible to all, it has expanded its network to more than 400 stores in 26 countries within scarcely more than a decade of its 2012 launch. For winter, the brand has introduced a delightful collection of frosty additions to its line-up – complemented by a new partnership providing the ideal... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3341204/style-edit-apm-monaco-shows-its-latest-jewellery-collections-hong-kong-race-night?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/luxury/jewellery/article/3341204/style-edit-apm-monaco-shows-its-latest-jewellery-collections-hong-kong-race-night?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:00:11 +0000 Josh Ball Josh Ball Ferrari have parted ways with Zhou Guanyu ‌ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 campaign, with rumours circulating that the 21-year-old is about to join Cadillac as a reserve and test driver. The Shanghai native served as a backup for Ferrari last season after a three-year spell at ⁠the wheel of the No 24 car for Sauber, where he made 68 career starts from 2022 to 2024. Zhou, the only Chinese driver to race full-time in F1, and Antonio Giovinazzi split the role of supporting Lewis Hamilton and Charles... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338593/formula-one-chinas-zhou-guanyu-loses-place-ferraris-reserve-driver-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3338593/formula-one-chinas-zhou-guanyu-loses-place-ferraris-reserve-driver-2026-season?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 03 Jan 2026 03:05:55 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Max Verstappen maintained the pressure on McLaren and cut another chunk out of Oscar Piastri’s lead in this year’s world championship on Sunday when he cruised to a commanding triumph at the United States Grand Prix. In sizzling conditions, Red Bull’s four-time world champion led from pole position to chequered flag to come home 7.959 seconds clear of title-chasing Lando Norris, of McLaren, with Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc finishing third, 4.041 adrift. Australian championship leader Oscar Piastri... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3329600/us-grand-prix-verstappen-cruises-victory-cuts-chunk-out-f1-lead?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3329600/us-grand-prix-verstappen-cruises-victory-cuts-chunk-out-f1-lead?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 19 Oct 2025 22:16:36 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse Mercedes’ George Russell won the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Max Verstappen and Lando Norris, as McLaren clinched the Formula One constructors’ championship. Oscar Piastri was fourth, which meant his lead over his McLaren teammate Norris in the drivers’ standings was cut to 22 points. The 27 points scored by Piastri and Norris were more than enough for McLaren to equal the record set by Red Bull in 2023, by winning the team title with six races to spare. It was McLaren’s second title... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3327930/f1-singapore-grand-prix-george-russell-wins-street-race-mclaren-seal-constructors-title?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3327930/f1-singapore-grand-prix-george-russell-wins-street-race-mclaren-seal-constructors-title?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 05 Oct 2025 14:10:55 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press After driving to a surprise podium finish at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Carlos Sainz Jnr was back behind the wheel hours later. This time, in a rented van with fellow F1 driver Charles Leclerc. Leclerc just wanted to get home to Monaco after a frustrating weekend that included a crash in qualifying and a ninth-place finish. The weather got in the way, forcing the two drivers’ flight to divert from Nice, France, to Italy. “So, after a very difficult weekend in Baku, I thought it couldn’t get any... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3326402/storm-diverts-flight-f1-drivers-sainz-and-leclerc-forcing-them-drive?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3326402/storm-diverts-flight-f1-drivers-sainz-and-leclerc-forcing-them-drive?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 22 Sep 2025 13:00:12 +0000 Associated Press Associated Press Italian fashion designer Giorgio Armani’s work spanned the worlds of celebrity, fashion and power. His death announced Thursday at age 91 has elicited an outpouring of tributes. Ralph Lauren “I have always had the deepest respect and admiration for Giorgio Armani, not only as a designer who never strayed from his vision, but as a man who loved his family and friends, and his homeland in such a special way. Though he was an icon of the world of fashion, he lived with great humility and a love of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3324416/giorgio-armani-dies-91-ralph-lauren-julia-roberts-and-others-remember-fashion-legend?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/fashion-news/article/3324416/giorgio-armani-dies-91-ralph-lauren-julia-roberts-and-others-remember-fashion-legend?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 05 Sep 2025 03:41:20 +0000 Agence France-Presse Agence France-Presse A crestfallen Lewis Hamilton declared himself “useless” after qualifying in 12th position for the Hungarian Grand Prix on Saturday as Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc surged to pole position. Seven-time world champion Hamilton exited the session in Q2 with his head down and his helmet on as the 40-year-old retreated to the team’s motor home. “I’m useless,” the British driver said. “Absolutely useless. “The team has no problem. You’ve seen the car on pole so they probably need to change... https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3320569/f1-ferraris-hamilton-says-im-useless-after-hungarian-gp-qualifying-flop?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/formula-one-f1/article/3320569/f1-ferraris-hamilton-says-im-useless-after-hungarian-gp-qualifying-flop?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 03 Aug 2025 03:00:13 +0000 Hyewon Lee Hyewon Lee Alexandra Saint Mleux may not be getting behind the wheel on race weekends, but she’s certainly one of the most recognisable faces in the Formula One paddock. The 23-year-old girlfriend of Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc has claimed her title as the sport’s “It girl” with her impeccable style and elegant demeanour. While she maintains a career in arts – she studied the subject and currently runs an art-focused Instagram page – Saint Mleux’s eye for fashion is what’s getting her plenty of... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3319426/alexandra-saint-mleux-sports-most-fashionable-wag-f1-driver-charles-leclercs-girlfriend-known-her?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/fashion/celebrity-style/article/3319426/alexandra-saint-mleux-sports-most-fashionable-wag-f1-driver-charles-leclercs-girlfriend-known-her?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 26 Jul 2025 20:00:08 +0000