Italian driver, Kimi Antonelli, has become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history after clinching the 2026 title at the Mexican Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the championship on Sunday after finishing third at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli entered the race needing only a top-nine finish to guarantee the title, irrespective of the performances of his closest competitors.
Starting from fourth on the grid, he maintained a steady pace to secure the podium finish and his maiden world championship.
His achievement ended Sebastian Vettel’s 16-year reign as the youngest Formula 1 champion.
Vettel had set the record in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days when he won the title with Red Bull Racing.
Antonelli’s triumph also ended Italy’s 73-year wait for another Formula 1 world champion.
He becomes the country’s third driver to win the prestigious title, joining Giuseppe Farina, who won the inaugural championship in 1950 with Alfa Romeo, and Alberto Ascari, who claimed consecutive titles in 1952 and 1953 with Ferrari.
The Mercedes driver enjoyed an impressive 2026 campaign, recording nine victories before mathematically securing the championship.
His success marks the emergence of a new leading figure in the sport, which has been dominated in recent years by Hamilton and Verstappen.
Antonelli’s historic achievement represents a significant milestone for both Italian motorsport and Formula 1, as he becomes the youngest driver to win the world championship.
