Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest Formula One world champion in history, securing the title at the Mexican Grand Prix held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. At 20 years and 68 days old, the Italian driver surpassed the previous record set by Sebastian Vettel, who won the championship at age 23 in 2010. Antonelli finished third in the race behind winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Lewis Hamilton, clinching the championship with four races still remaining in the season.
Antonelli's title marks the first time an Italian driver has won the Formula One championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, and it is Mercedes’ first drivers' championship since Lewis Hamilton’s last in 2020. The victory also underscores Mercedes' continued competitiveness, being the team's tenth drivers’ title overall.
Born in Bologna in 2006, Antonelli has quickly risen through the ranks, having been part of Mercedes’ young driver program since age 12. He debuted in Formula One last year, replacing Hamilton at Mercedes, the very driver who congratulated him warmly after the race. Despite initial criticism regarding his youth and inexperience, Antonelli has demonstrated remarkable composure and consistency throughout the 2026 season, winning ten races and scoring points in nearly every event except two, where mechanical failures occurred.
The Mexican Grand Prix saw a dramatic start with intense battles among title contenders. Charles Leclerc attempted an overtaking maneuver on Hamilton for the lead but cut the corner, leading to a five-second penalty. Hamilton expressed frustration on team radio, claiming the stewards were unfairly benefiting Leclerc and complaining about the race management. The event was interrupted when Valtteri Bottas suffered a high-speed crash after a suspension failure, causing a red flag and a delay. Bottas was unharmed.
After the restart, Verstappen maintained his lead, and Hamilton aggressively moved into second place, while Antonelli held steady in third. Contact between Hamilton and Verstappen was noted by stewards but did not lead to further penalties. The race also featured several other incidents, including a crash involving Arvid Lindblad that required a safety car intervention.
Antonelli’s success represents the culmination of a dominant campaign that began with a strong start early in the season, including a notable victory at the Italian Grand Prix from 19th on the grid, the first Italian to win there since 1966. His steady performances have kept him well ahead of his closest competitors, including Mercedes teammates George Russell and Lewis Hamilton.
The Mexican Grand Prix result not only highlighted Antonelli’s composure under pressure but also signaled a new era of competition, with Verstappen and Antonelli expected to be key rivals in coming seasons. Antonelli, who still lives in San Marino and has maintained a relatively low profile outside racing, will now transition into global superstar status as the youngest champion the sport has ever seen.