Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 World Champion in History at Age 20

Formula 1 history was officially rewritten at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, 1 November 2026, becoming the youngest champion in the sport's history at 20 years and 68 days.

The Mercedes driver finished third in a race won by Max Verstappen (Red Bull), with Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) second, 0.799 seconds behind Verstappen. The win was Verstappen's sixth in Mexico and the 74th of his career.

For Antonelli, third place was more than enough. He arrived in Mexico needing only a ninth-place finish to seal the title. With an unassailable 119-point lead and four rounds remaining, the crown was his. Tears flowed over the team radio as he crossed the line: "We did it, we did it."

The record he broke had stood for 16 years: Sebastian Vettel became the youngest champion in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days with Red Bull. Antonelli cut it by more than three years. He is also the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953 — ending a 73-year wait for Italy.

The achievement is all the more remarkable for coming in just his second Formula 1 season. This year Antonelli has nine wins, seven pole positions, and 16 podiums from 19 Grands Prix — never finishing lower than fifth. He came to Mexico 123 points clear of teammate George Russell, with 125 points still on the table. Mathematically he needed ninth; he went home with the title and a podium.

Vettel's record — 23 years and 134 days with Red Bull in 2010 — lasted 16 years and was considered nearly untouchable, as drivers now debut younger but need time to mature. Antonelli slashed it by more than three years. For Italy, it ends a 73-year wait since Alberto Ascari's 1953 crown. The country that gave the world Ferrari, Monza, and thousands of tifosi finally has a world champion again.

For Mercedes, it is the first drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton's seventh in 2020 — a sweet end to the team's transitional era. The Mexico race served up its own drama: the red flag came out on lap 46 after Valtteri Bottas crashed following a suspension failure. After the restart, Antonelli showed a champion's composure by passing Leclerc on lap 48. Verstappen, a six-time Mexico winner, and Hamilton — 12 world titles between the three of them — lifted Antonelli into the air on the podium. That image will be remembered for a long time.

The standings put Antonelli on top with 380 points, followed by Verstappen (261), Hamilton (259), and Leclerc (245), still fighting for second with four rounds to go.