Kimi Antonelli Makes Formula 1 History as Youngest-Ever World Champion

Kimi Antonelli has written his name into Formula 1 history after becoming the youngest World Champion in the sport’s history at just 20 years old.

The Mercedes driver secured the 2026 Drivers’ Championship with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1, bringing an end to a remarkable second season in Formula 1.

Antonelli needed only a top-nine finish to guarantee the title, regardless of what his closest challengers achieved. He went beyond that requirement by securing a podium finish behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Verstappen claimed the race victory for Red Bull, holding off Hamilton, who finished second for Ferrari. Antonelli completed the podium, just over four seconds behind the seven-time world champion.

At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record to become the youngest driver to win the Formula 1 world championship.

The achievement also makes him the first Italian driver to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for Italy.

It has been a remarkable campaign for the young Mercedes driver, who has handled the pressure of competing against some of the sport’s biggest names and emerged as champion with four races still remaining.

The celebrations after the race were equally memorable, with Verstappen and Hamilton lifting Antonelli onto their shoulders as he celebrated a moment he will remember for the rest of his career.

For Mercedes, it is another major milestone. For Antonelli, it is the beginning of what could be a special career at the highest level of motorsport.