Kimi Antonelli is the youngest Formula 1 World Champion ever

Formula 1 has a new World Champion and history has just been rewritten! Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, becoming, at the age of 20, the youngest driver ever to achieve this feat. The Italian Mercedes driver secured the championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, held on November 1, in a race marked by emotion, unexpected moments and a very special podium.

Antonelli only needed to finish ninth to mathematically secure the title, but he went even further. He crossed the finish line in third place, behind Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari, claiming his 16th podium of the season.

At just 20 years, two months and seven days old, the young Italian not only won the first World Championship of his career, but also broke a record that had belonged to Sebastian Vettel since 2010.

Kimi Antonelli breaks Sebastian Vettel’s historic record

Until now, the record for the youngest Formula 1 World Champion belonged to Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title in 2010 with Red Bull at the age of 23 years, four months and eleven days.

Kimi Antonelli managed to beat that mark by more than three years, setting a new record that promises to go down in the history of the sport.

But this title has another special significance. Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, putting Italy back at the top of the pinnacle of motorsport 73 years later.

The achievement also represents an impressive turnaround for the young Mercedes driver. After a rookie season in 2025 without a single victory, Antonelli transformed 2026 into a dream year, recording nine wins and 16 podiums in the first 19 races.

And the most impressive part? There are still four Grands Prix remaining in the season, meaning these numbers could continue to grow.

A Mexico Grand Prix full of emotion

Despite arriving in Mexico with the title practically secured, Kimi Antonelli had to face a very demanding race.

The Italian started from fourth position and showed competitive pace, even joining the battle for the leading positions. However, an accident involving Valtteri Bottas, driving for Cadillac, caused a red flag and forced the race to be suspended.

The incident changed the dynamics of the race and required the drivers to reorganise their strategies for the remaining laps.

After the restart, Antonelli managed to recover to third place, but Max Verstappen ultimately took the victory, securing his sixth win at the Mexican circuit. Lewis Hamilton finished second, while Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris completed the top five.

For Antonelli, however, third place had a very different meaning. It was not just another podium. It was the confirmation of a childhood dream and the achievement of his first Formula 1 World Championship.

From tears to the Formula 1 World Championship

When he crossed the finish line, Kimi Antonelli could not hide his emotions. The young Italian cried tears of joy and thanked his family and Mercedes for all the support he had received throughout his career.

The celebration became even more special with the presence of his parents and younger sister, who witnessed one of the most important moments of his life.

On the podium, Antonelli experienced another memorable moment. Alongside him were Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, two of the most successful drivers in recent Formula 1 history, who made a point of celebrating the Italian’s achievement, even lifting him onto their shoulders.

A symbolic moment that brought together different generations of the sport and marked the arrival of a new champion.

At the age of 20, Kimi Antonelli has already achieved what many drivers dream of throughout their entire careers. And given his youth and the performance he has shown this season, everything suggests that he will have many more opportunities to continue writing his name into motorsport history.

Formula 1 has found a new champion. And the future looks promising!

Sources: A Bola, Euronews, RTP Notícias