Antonelli becomes world champion after third-place finish in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix to secure the 2026 drivers’ title with four races remaining.

The 20-year-old needed only two points to confirm the championship but finished on the podium behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

His final move past Charles Leclerc secured third place and confirmed for Mercedes that Antonelli could no longer be caught in the standings.

At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest F1 champion by more than three years. 

He also became the first Italian to win the drivers’ championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for the country.

Antonelli’s title followed a remarkable second season in Formula 1. After a difficult rookie campaign in 2025, the Mercedes driver returned with nine victories in 2026, including five consecutive wins from China to Monaco.

He first won in China, where he also claimed his maiden pole position. He went on to win his first four races in a row.

The new regulations introduced for the 2026 season appeared to suit Antonelli, who adapted quickly to the lighter cars. 

His performances also gave Mercedes a clear advantage in the championship as teammate George Russell struggled with mechanical problems and mistakes. Antonelli eventually built a 123-point lead over the Briton.

His achievement in Mexico was even more impressive because of the problems he faced before the race. Antonelli had been unwell with a fever and stomach issues, forcing him to miss media commitments during the weekend.

He recovered in time to qualify fourth and finished the race strongly enough to secure the podium he needed.

The championship also marks an upturn in Antonelli’s fortunes from his first season. The Italian made several mistakes as a rookie and struggled through difficult weekends, including a disappointing qualifying session at Spa. 

His performances in 2026 have shown a different level of consistency, with the young driver now able to manage races and championship pressure.

Antonelli is also the first driver born in the new millennium to win the Formula 1 world championship. He joins a select group of drivers to claim the title in their second season, alongside Juan Manuel Fangio, Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton.