Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest Formula One world champion

Kimi Antonelli became Formula One's youngest world champion and Italy's first since 1953 after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the title with four races remaining in the season.

The Championship Race

Antonelli's victory marks a significant milestone in the sport. At 20 years and 68 days old, he broke the record previously held by Germany's Sebastian Vettel, who became champion at age 23 in 2010. Antonelli has now reached 380 points, while Max Verstappen holds 261 points and Lewis Hamilton holds 259 points.

In the Mexico City Grand Prix, Max Verstappen claimed his sixth victory at the circuit, finishing ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who took second place. Antonelli finished third, 3.207 seconds behind Hamilton. The race was marked by several incidents, including a red flag around Lap 45 following a crash by Valtteri Bottas.

Season Performance

Antonelli's championship run followed a season of high performance for the Mercedes driver. After a difficult rookie season in 2025, Antonelli won nine of 19 races in 2026. Notable victories included his debut win at the Chinese Grand Prix and a win at his home race in Monza, where he started 19th following an engine change-prompted grid penalty.

Mercedes teammate George Russell, who began the season as a favorite for the title, finished sixth in the Mexico City Grand Prix after receiving a 10-second time penalty for a collision. Russell stated, “The truth is he’s been at a higher level than me this year.”

Reactions to the Title

Following the race, Antonelli expressed his emotions on the team radio and to reporters. “I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened,” Antonelli said. He added, “It’s been an incredible season, and to share this podium with Max and Lewis is truly incredible.”

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni congratulated the driver on social media, stating, “Kimi Antonelli is world champion! At just 20 years old, he achieves an extraordinary milestone, becoming the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1.”

Upcoming Schedule

Following the event in Mexico, the Formula One calendar moves to Brazil and Las Vegas. The final two Grands Prix are scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi, though reports note uncertainty regarding these races due to geopolitical instability in the region.

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Sources

• dw.com: Kimi Antonelli makes history as youngest F1 champion
• theguardian.com: How Kimi Antonelli saw off the grid to become F1’s youngest world champion | Kimi Antonelli | The Guardian
• nbcnews.com: Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest Formula 1 champion ever at 20 years old
• mymotherlode.com: ‘Mamma mia Kimi!’ Italy erupts after Antonelli becomes country’s 1st F1 champion in 73 years - myMotherLode.com
• taipeitimes.com: Kimi Antonelli youngest F1 champion - Taipei Times

This article was drafted with AI assistance and checked against the sources above. Company claims are reported as claims. Cover image is AI-generated.