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Kimi Antonelli Becomes Formula 1's Youngest Champion at 20
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In Short: Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 world championship at 20 years old, becoming the sport's youngest-ever champion.
Kimi Antonelli, 20, became Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record set in 2010.
Antonelli's journey began when his father Marco noticed his exceptional talent at age 10, operating a kart with precision and skill.
From karting to the Mercedes driver academy, Antonelli's passion and talent were evident early on, with scouts from Mercedes and other teams taking notice.
Despite starting from 19th on the grid, Antonelli's performance at Monza marked a significant milestone, becoming the first Italian to win his home race since 1966.
Antonelli's third-place finish in Mexico City secured the championship, with a 119-point lead over Max Verstappen, who took the race victory.
Antonelli's success was a surprise to many, as George Russell, the preseason favorite, fell to fourth in the standings, 130 points behind Antonelli.
Antonelli's father, Marco, recalled the early days when Kimi would play on a motor racing simulator, even at just 15 days old, hearing the engine sounds and smelling the exhaust.
Antonelli's dedication was evident as he would often say, 'Dad, no sleep, no sleep. I have to drive,' showing his intense passion for racing.
Antonelli's rise to the top was rapid, with many experts and former champions, like Max Verstappen, recognizing his potential early on.
Antonelli's emotional victory was celebrated over the team radio, where he said, 'We did it. Thank you so much,' expressing gratitude to his team and family.
Antonelli plans to keep his racing number 12, stating, 'It’s a very special number for me, but also it’s a way for me to stay grounded, to stay humble.'
Antonelli's success has been a testament to his skill and determination, making him a deserving and popular champion, thrilling fans with his extraordinary talent.
What this adds
Kimi Antonelli, at 20 years and 68 days, shattered Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 133 days as the youngest Formula 1 champion.
The previous youngest champion was Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who took the first of his four titles with Red Bull at 23 years and 134 days old in 2010.
At 20 years, 68 days, Antonelli has broken the record set by Sebastian Vettel, who was three years older when he clinched his first title.
That also meant that Verstappen went second in the overall standings, with Hamilton third and preseason favorite Russell plummeting to fourth, 130 points behind Antonelli.
Background
Kimi Antonelli, 20, has become Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion, clinching the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix with a third-place finish.
Antonelli, who leads the 2026 drivers' championship with a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell, needs to win the grand prix and have favorable results from other drivers to secure the title.
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
- "I said: 'OK, stop, because it has now become dangerous.' But when I saw the video, 10 years old, on my leg, oversteer, everything perfect, I said: 'Maybe he has something special.'" And now Kimi, who turned 20 only in August, has dominated F1 in only his second season, and become the youngest world champion in the sport's history.
- "Each evening, Kimi wanted to drive," Marco remembers.
- This is the story of a boy his dad says was "born in a garage".
- Antonelli held onto his lead at the start of the 56-lap race as second-placed Verstappen suffered a poor getaway.
- Hamilton takes first pole for Ferrari at Mexico City Grand Prix F1 has never had anyone like me - Hamilton How to follow Mexico City Grand Prix on the BBC Russell said it was "obviously inevitable" that Antonelli would win the championship, adding it would be "most likely this weekend".
- AUSTIN, Texas — Kimi Antonelli is sitting on the cusp of history.
- “We are very close. We try to finish on a high and hopefully we can clinch it very soon,” Antonelli said.
- "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.
- The previous youngest champion was Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who took the first of his four with Red Bull at 23 years and 134 days old in 2010.
- “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.
- “Pushed out by my own teammate,” Hamilton said over the radio.