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Kimi Antonelli Becomes F1's Youngest World Champion at 20
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In Short: Kimi Antonelli, 20, became Formula 1's youngest world champion after clinching the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Kimi Antonelli, 20, became Formula 1's youngest world champion after clinching the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record set in 2010.
Antonelli, who turned 20 only in August, dominated his second F1 season and clinched the championship with a third-place finish in Mexico City, securing an unassailable 119-point lead over his rivals.
Antonelli's journey began when his father, Marco, first noticed his exceptional talent at age 10 while operating a kart on his lap. Marco and his wife, Veronica, had always been involved in racing, and Antonelli's passion for the sport was evident from a young age.
Antonelli's father, Marco, recalled, 'Kimi from 15 days old was in the garage and heard the sound of the engine and the smell of the exhaust.' This early exposure to motorsport laid the foundation for his future success.
By the time Antonelli was 11, his name was already buzzing in motor racing circles. Mercedes driver academy scout Gwen Lagrue flew to Italy to assess the young talent, who was driving a kart with less power than his rivals.
F1 team boss Toto Wolff had his eye on Antonelli as a potential successor to Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli's exceptional talent was recognized by multiple teams, including Red Bull, which reportedly showed interest in signing him for the future.
Antonelli's success this season was marked by his impressive performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where he started 19th on the grid and stormed to victory. This was the first Italian victory at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
At the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli came from 19th on the grid to secure third place, sealing his championship. He expressed his gratitude over the team radio, saying, 'We did it. Thank you so much.'
Despite the drama of the race, including two safety cars and a red flag, Antonelli held onto his lead at the start of the 56-lap race. Max Verstappen won the race, but Antonelli's overall lead reached an unassailable 119 points.
Antonelli's teammate, George Russell, who was the preseason favorite, fell to fourth in the standings, 130 points behind Antonelli. Lewis Hamilton, who started from pole position, finished second, but Antonelli's victory was a testament to his consistent performance throughout the season.
Antonelli will continue to wear his racing number 12, stating, 'I’ll stay with number 12 because, obviously, it’s a very special number for me, but also it’s a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble.'
Antonelli's achievement is a testament to his talent and the support of his family and team. His father, Marco, said, 'Maybe he has something special,' after seeing a video of Antonelli driving perfectly at age 10.
What this adds
Antonelli's victory marks the first Italian champion since 1953, a significant milestone in F1 history.
What's confirmed
- Antonelli - the boy 'born in a garage' who became world champion This is an updated version of an article first published in August 2026 Kimi Antonelli was 10 when his father Marco first realised the boy sitting on his lap, operating the steering and gears, might have an exceptional talent as a racing driver.
- Now Kimi was a member of the Mercedes driver academy, Marco could stop worrying about money, and start focusing on helping his son achieve his full potential. F1 team boss Toto Wolff (right) had his eye on Antonelli as a successor to Lewis Hamilton one day Mercedes were not the only big names in F1 who had noticed Antonelli's promise. "When he was in karting, you could already see he was one of the stand-out talents," says four-time world champion Max Verstappen, the only other teenager to win an F1 race.
- Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, clinching his first title at 20 years old after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- Kimi Antonelli has become Formula One’s youngest world champion at 20 years and 68 days old with his third-place finish for Mercedes at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- “I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened,” Antonelli said to the crowd.
- “Get in there, Kimi. Champion of the world,” said his race engineer Peter Bonnington, a regular target for the young driver’s practical jokes.
- Antonelli, by comparison, is cruising to the title and set to clinch it after 19 rounds.
- Kimi Antonelli has been crowned Formula 1 drivers' champion, the youngest ever at 20 years old, as Max Verstappen won a chaotic Mexico City Grand Prix on Monday.
What's still developing
- "Each evening, Kimi wanted to drive," Marco remembers.
- This is the story of a boy his dad says was "born in a garage".
- AUSTIN, Texas — Kimi Antonelli is sitting on the cusp of history.
- "I know it's very close, I know it's there, but I just need to make sure that I keep doing the best I can," Antonelli said.
- The last Italian champion was Alberto Ascari, 73 years earlier.
- “So it was just good to bring it home.” Leclerc finished fourth, McLaren’s outgoing champion Lando Norris fifth, and Antonelli’s teammate George Russell only sixth in a race he had to win to have any chance of staying in contention.
- Kimi Antonelli makes history as the youngest F1 Drivers’ Champion As the sun was beginning to rise at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday morning one week ago, a solitary sportswriter was taking a lonely walk along pit lane ahead of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix.
- At 20 years, 68 days, Antonelli has shattered the previous mark set by Sebastian Vettel, 23 years, 133 days, by three years.
- Last year's champion, Lando Norris, was born in 1999.
- Mercedes had already been billed as the team to beat at the start of F1’s major regulation reset, and Russell was seen as the obvious pick to become champion given the fact he had won five races since joining the Silver Arrows in 2022, and had established himself as the team leader following Lewis Hamilton’s departure.
- "We did it, we did it. I wouldn't be here without Mercedes, without my family, so I'm very grateful for this moment and it's one that will live forever," said Antonelli.
- Verstappen seized control of the race during the only pitstop of the race on lap 28 of 71, leapfrogging early leader Charles Leclerc, and he fended off Leclerc's team-mate Hamilton to take victory, with Antonelli celebrating his maiden F1 title with a podium spot in third.