Mexico City: Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has created history by becoming the youngest-ever Formula One world champion at the age of 20. The Italian secured his maiden Drivers’ Championship after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1, 2026, breaking a record held by Sebastian Vettel for 16 years.
Antonelli finished behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, who won the race, and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who secured second place. However, his podium finish was enough to confirm the championship with four races remaining in the 2026 season.
The Mercedes driver entered the Mexico City race needing only a ninth-place finish to secure the title, irrespective of the results of his closest challengers. He went on to finish third, completing a remarkable campaign in just his second Formula One season.
Antonelli breaks Sebastian Vettel’s record
At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli became the youngest driver to win the Formula One Drivers’ Championship. He surpassed Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first world title with Red Bull in 2010.
The achievement makes Antonelli Formula One’s 36th world champion and the first title winner born in the 21st century. His victory also marks a significant milestone for Italian motorsport.
Nine race wins in a remarkable season
Antonelli’s championship-winning campaign has been marked by consistency and strong performances. He took the lead in the drivers’ standings after the Japanese Grand Prix, the third round of the season, and continued to build his advantage.
By the time the championship reached Mexico, he had recorded nine Grand Prix victories. He also failed to score points in only two races, both due to mechanical problems.
One of his standout performances came at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he secured victory despite starting 19th on the grid. His Mexico City podium was his 15th of the season and ultimately confirmed his place at the top of the championship standings.
Dramatic Mexico City Grand Prix
The race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez featured several dramatic moments, including safety car periods, collisions and a red-flag stoppage.
Hamilton started from pole position and initially held the lead, while Verstappen moved into contention. The race was interrupted after Valtteri Bottas suffered a suspension failure and crashed into the barriers. The field later returned for a restart.
Verstappen maintained his lead during the closing stages despite pressure from Hamilton. He crossed the finish line 0.799 seconds ahead of the Ferrari driver to claim his third victory of the 2026 season and sixth in Mexico.
Antonelli finished third, approximately four seconds behind Hamilton, securing the result he needed to become world champion.
First Italian champion since Alberto Ascari
Antonelli’s achievement ends Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula One drivers’ champion. He is the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari, who secured his second championship in 1953.
Born in Bologna on August 25, 2006, Antonelli began karting at the age of seven. He joined the Mercedes junior programme in 2019 and progressed through several junior racing categories before making his Formula One debut in 2025.
Mercedes promoted him to its senior team as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, pairing him with George Russell. The decision attracted attention because Antonelli was still a teenager with limited experience in Formula One.
After finishing seventh in his rookie season, the Italian delivered a title-winning performance in his second year, rewarding the team’s long-term investment in his development.
A new chapter for Mercedes and Italian motorsport
Antonelli’s championship is a major milestone for Mercedes, which backed the young driver after Hamilton’s departure to Ferrari. His title victory also signals the arrival of a new generation of Formula One champions.
With the 2026 Drivers’ Championship secured and four races still remaining, Antonelli will now look to build on his historic achievement and establish himself among the sport’s leading drivers.