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Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history by becoming the sport's youngest world champion at just 20 years old, securing his first title in only his second season with Mercedes after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday.
Antonelli, who took over seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes seat in 2025, wrapped up the championship with four races remaining, bringing his season total to 380 points after nine Grand Prix victories.
The Italian finished behind race winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Hamilton in Mexico, breaking the age record previously held by Sebastian Vettel, who claimed his first championship at 23 in 2010.
His triumph also ended a 73-year wait for an Italian Formula 1 champion, with Alberto Ascari having last claimed the title in 1953.
Born in Bologna on Aug. 25, 2006, Antonelli began karting under the guidance of his father, Marco, a sports car driver and team owner.
Mercedes brought him into its junior development program in 2019, when he was just 12, before he went on to secure the Italian and German Formula 4 championships in 2022.
Further success in the 2023 Formula Regional Middle East and European championships led Mercedes to promote him straight to Formula 2 in 2024, skipping Formula 3.
After just one season in Formula 2, Antonelli was promoted to Formula 1 in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton, who had left for Ferrari.
His rookie campaign brought three podium finishes and seventh place in the standings, setting him up for a breakthrough second season.
Antonelli opened 2026 with second place in Australia before claiming his maiden Grand Prix victory in China, where he also became Formula 1's youngest polesitter, the youngest driver to start a race from first position.
He followed that up with victories in Japan, Miami, Canada and Monaco, building a five-race winning streak that established him as a leading championship contender.
At the Monaco Grand Prix, he took his first Grand Slam, winning from pole position, setting the fastest lap and leading every lap.
However, mechanical failures in Barcelona and difficulties in Britain temporarily slowed his progress, allowing Mercedes teammate George Russell to narrow the championship gap.
Antonelli bounced back with victory in Belgium before producing one of his most memorable performances at Monza, where he climbed from 19th on the starting grid to win his home race.
The victory made him the first Italian to win the Italian Grand Prix since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
“Even starting P19, I believed that this might be possible,” Antonelli said afterward.
Further victories in Madrid and Austin helped him pull away in the championship standings, putting the title within reach ahead of Mexico.
Despite his commanding advantage, Antonelli acknowledged feeling more nervous than usual heading into the decisive Mexico City race, saying he had struggled to keep his emotions under control.
Nevertheless, he brought his Mercedes home in third place, securing the championship seven years after joining the team's junior program.
“We did it! And I wouldn’t be here without Mercedes and without my family,” Antonelli said after the race. “I’m speechless, I’m trying to process what’s just happened.”
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His achievement also drew praise from his competitors, including Russell, who acknowledged that his teammate had performed better throughout the season, and Hamilton, who previously praised Antonelli's consistency.
The championship marks Mercedes' first drivers' title since Hamilton's seventh crown in 2020, completing Antonelli's rapid rise from junior racing prospect to Formula 1 world champion.
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