(Photo courtesy of Anadolu)
ISTANBUL — Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history on Sunday, becoming the youngest world champion at 20 after finishing third in the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Italian secured his first drivers’ championship in only his second Formula 1 season, clinching the title with four rounds remaining.
Antonelli, who replaced seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025, surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest F1 world champion.
He also became the first Italian driver to capture the championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the 71-lap race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, finishing 0.799 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Hamilton. Antonelli completed the podium, 4.006 seconds behind the winner.
Entering the race with a commanding championship lead, Antonelli needed only a ninth-place finish or better to secure the title regardless of his closest rivals’ results.
Starting fourth on the grid, the Mercedes driver maintained his position during a chaotic opening lap that saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc take the lead following an off-track battle with teammate Hamilton.
Antonelli briefly moved into the lead during the pit-stop cycle, extending his opening stint until lap 44 before switching from soft to medium tires.
He rejoined the race in fourth place before a crash involving Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas triggered a safety car and eventually a red flag.
Following the restart on lap 47, Hamilton overtook Leclerc while Antonelli successfully defended his position against McLaren’s Lando Norris.
The championship-defining moment came on lap 48 when Antonelli overtook Leclerc at Turn 1 to move into third place.
Another safety car period followed a crash involving Arvid Lindblad on lap 59, but Antonelli maintained his position through the closing stages.
With Verstappen and Hamilton battling for victory ahead, the young Italian controlled his pace and crossed the finish line third to seal the championship.
“We did it! And I wouldn’t be here without Mercedes and without my family. I’m speechless, I’m trying to process what’s just happened,” Antonelli said after the race.
“It’s been an incredible season, and to share this podium with Max and Lewis is incredible. I look forward to more battles in the future.
“This weekend, I did feel a little more tense. I’m just so happy I got it done,” he added.
Verstappen secured the race victory ahead of Hamilton, while Antonelli’s third-place finish completed a historic podium.
Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Norris, George Russell, Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly.
Antonelli’s championship marks a milestone for Mercedes and Italian motorsport, ending a 73-year wait for another Italian Formula 1 drivers’ world champion.
