Kimi Antonelli has rewritten Formula 1 history by clinching the Drivers’ Championship at just 20 years old, becoming the youngest champion the sport has seen after taking third place in Sunday’s Mexico City Grand Prix.
Title secured in Mexico City
- The Mercedes driver sealed his first world title at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, crossing the line behind race winner Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
- Antonelli entered the race needing no more than ninth position to put the championship beyond the reach of his nearest challengers, George Russell and Hamilton, whatever their results.
- His podium finish comfortably exceeded that target and confirmed the championship in only his second Formula 1 campaign after joining Mercedes in 2025.
A new youngest champion
At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli has surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing benchmark as Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion. Vettel had held the record since winning his maiden title in 2010, when he was 23 years and 134 days old.
Antonelli also becomes the first Italian to win the Formula 1 world championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli’s reaction
“It’s a moment that means so much,” Antonelli said. “It’s a day I will remember forever. Thank you so much to my team, my family, my friends, and all of you guys that support me and the sport. I’m just so grateful.”
