Kimi Antonelli Becomes F1's Youngest-Ever World Champion At 20, Ends Italy's 73-Year Wait

Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history on Monday, 2 November (IST), becoming the youngest-ever world champion at the age of 20 after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Mercedes driver became the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the race, with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finishing second, but Antonelli's podium was enough to seal the title with four races remaining.

He now holds an unassailable 119-point lead in the championship standings, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest world champion. Vettel was 23 when he claimed his maiden title in 2010.

Antonelli broke down in tears of joy over the team radio as he crossed the finish line. Joined by his parents and younger sister after the race, the Italian celebrated a landmark achievement in only his second Formula 1 season.

The championship also marks the culmination of Mercedes' long-term investment in Antonelli, who joined its junior programme at the age of 12 before replacing seven-time world champion Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season.

Kimi Antonelli's Remarkable Championship Campaign

Antonelli established himself as a title contender early in the 2026 season, winning five of the first six races and taking the championship lead after the Japanese Grand Prix.

He went on to register nine victories, with mechanical failures accounting for his only two races without points. One of his standout performances came at Monza, where he recovered from 19th on the grid to win his home Grand Prix.

Despite challenges from teammate George Russell, Hamilton and drivers from Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull, Antonelli maintained his advantage to become the sport's 36th world champion.

His triumph also ended Mercedes' wait for a drivers' championship, with its previous title coming through Hamilton in 2020.

Max Verstappen Wins Dramatic Mexico City GP

While Antonelli celebrated his championship, Verstappen secured his sixth Mexico City Grand Prix victory after an eventful race. Hamilton finished second, while Antonelli completed the podium.

Hamilton had started from pole position but lost the lead following an early battle with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. Leclerc received a five-second penalty after gaining an advantage by going off track during the attempted overtake, leaving Hamilton frustrated with the stewards' decision.

The race was subsequently interrupted by a red flag on lap 46 after Valtteri Bottas crashed into the barriers at the first corner following an apparent right-side suspension problem.

The Cadillac driver exited his car unaided and was taken for further medical assessments as a precaution.

Following the restart, Verstappen retained the lead, with Hamilton moving into second and Antonelli holding third to secure the championship.

Formula 1 will next head to Brazil and Las Vegas before its scheduled final rounds in Qatar and Abu Dhabi. However, uncertainty remains over the final two races amid instability in the region.

Italian Drivers To Win The F1 World Championship

• Giuseppe Farina: 1950

• Alberto Ascari: 1952, 1953

• Kimi Antonelli: 2026