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Antonelli Crowned F1's Youngest World Champion at 20
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In Short: Kimi Antonelli, who turned 20 in August, clinched the Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the sport's youngest-ever champion.
Kimi Antonelli, who turned 20 in August, clinched the Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the sport's youngest-ever champion, according to the BBC and ESPN.
Antonelli's journey began when his father, Marco, first noticed his exceptional talent at the age of 10, as reported by the BBC.
Antonelli's rise to the top was marked by his performance at the Italian Grand Prix, where he stormed to victory despite starting 19th on the grid, according to NBC Los Angeles.
At the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli clinched his maiden Formula 1 title, finishing third after starting from 19th on the grid, as reported by ESPN and Formula 1.
"We did it. Thank you so much," an emotional Antonelli said on the team radio after crossing the finish line, as quoted by NBC News.
Antonelli's victory in Mexico City secured his place as the youngest world champion in F1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 134 days, as noted by Al Jazeera.
"I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened," Antonelli said to the crowd, as quoted by Al Jazeera.
Antonelli's teammate, George Russell, finished sixth, while Lewis Hamilton took second place, as reported by Al Jazeera.
Antonelli's success has also caught the attention of Red Bull, with the team reportedly eyeing him as a future signing, as noted by GP Fans.
"We are very close. We try to finish on a high and hopefully we can clinch it very soon," Antonelli said, as quoted by the Northwich Guardian.
"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 added, as quoted by Mykhel.
Antonelli's championship victory marks the first for an Italian driver since Alberto Ascari in 1953, as reported by Al Jazeera.
What this adds
Antonelli's journey from karting to becoming the youngest F1 world champion is a testament to his early exposure to motorsport and his father's support.
The sources have not established the exact moment when Antonelli's talent was first recognized, but his father's account provides a vivid picture of his early passion for racing.
Antonelli's decision to stick with his racing number 12, despite the tradition of defending champions using No. 1, adds a personal touch to his championship victory.
Background
Kimi Antonelli, who turned 20 in August, clinched the Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the sport's youngest-ever champion.
What's confirmed
- 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 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.
- “Get in there, Kimi. Champion of the world,” said his race engineer Peter Bonnington, a regular target for the young driver’s practical jokes.
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".
- "And Kimi said: 'Dad, dad, no sleep, no sleep. I have to drive.'" Marco Antonelli used to be "stressed" about his son's passion for motorsport Marco Antonelli did not originally want his son to become a racing driver, because of his own struggles during his career.
- It is tradition for the defending champions to have No.1 on their car but Antonelli said that he will stick with his racing number 12.
- 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.
- Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the red-flagged, restarted race for his second win of the season, but Antonelli’s overall lead reached an unassailable 119 points after finishing third.
- That also meant that Verstappen went second in the overall standings, with Hamilton third and preseason favourite Russell plummeting to fourth, 130 points behind Antonelli.
- “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.