Antonelli seals first Formula 1 title with record-breaking Mexico finish

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion on Monday, securing the title with third place at a chaotic Mexico City Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver, aged 20 years and 68 days, finished behind race winner Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, clinching his first championship in only his second season in the sport. Antonelli surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s previous age record by three years and 66 days.

He also became the first Formula 1 champion born in the 21st century and the first Italian to win the drivers’ title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Four races remain in the season, beginning with next weekend’s São Paulo Grand Prix. The Italian entered the race knowing he effectively needed only to avoid trouble.

According to the BBC, the title could have escaped him only if Mercedes team-mate George Russell or Hamilton won, and even then Antonelli would have needed to finish ninth or 10th respectively. He ran a controlled race and finished less than two seconds behind Verstappen and Hamilton. Antonelli initially held fourth place behind Charles Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton.

He moved into the lead while other front-runners made pit stops, then stopped for fresh tyres shortly before a safety car. The race was later red-flagged after Valtteri Bottas crashed when his Cadillac’s front suspension failed under braking, producing a 25-lap sprint to the finish. Further disruption followed when Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad crashed after a collision with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.

With seven laps remaining, Antonelli ran behind Verstappen and Hamilton in a three-car group. None could pass, and the trio crossed the line nose to tail. Verstappen’s victory was his third in four races, but the race also exposed tensions at Ferrari.

Hamilton and Leclerc disputed position on the opening lap, with Leclerc taking the lead after running onto the grass and later receiving a five-second penalty. Hamilton argued that Leclerc’s move had cost Ferrari a potential one-two finish. Hamilton then battled Verstappen after the restart, including contact at the first chicane, but could not get close enough to pass.

Their fight became a secondary story to Antonelli’s achievement, although Hamilton finished second and expressed frustration with Ferrari’s decisions and internal conflict. Antonelli’s record-setting campaign began early. He took pole position in China at 19 years, six months and 18 days, beating Vettel’s previous record.

After winning in Japan, he became the youngest driver to lead the championship, surpassing a mark held by Hamilton since 2007. He also set a record for teenage wins, taking six before turning 20. His nine victories in 2026 are the most by an Italian driver in a single season, exceeding Ascari’s previous record of six in his 1952 championship year.

When Mercedes told him over the radio that he had won the title, Antonelli initially struggled to speak before responding: “Thank you so much. We did it.”