Kimi Antonelli Makes History as Youngest F1 Champion

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, as Sportsnet first reported. The 20-year-old Italian secured the title on November 1, 2026, following a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Antonelli claimed the championship with four races remaining in the season, surpassing the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel, who won the title at age 23 in 2010. He is the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali stated that the achievement marks the start of an "extraordinary legacy" for a nation that has waited 73 years for such a moment.

Despite facing illness during the weekend and the mental pressure of the impending title, Antonelli finished behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli noted that the excitement of the achievement caused him to lose two seconds on the final lap. He secured an unassailable lead in the standings over Ferrari's Hamilton and teammate George Russell.

While Antonelli celebrated, the race saw Max Verstappen claim his sixth victory in Mexico City. The event was interrupted on lap 46 by a red flag after Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas crashed into a wall due to right-side suspension issues. Bottas received precautionary medical assessments after exiting the car unaided. Meanwhile, Hamilton expressed frustration over a five-second penalty given to teammate Charles Leclerc following a battle for the lead, suggesting that internal team dynamics at Ferrari need to change.