Newsletters
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula One history on Sunday, securing the title at just 20 years old after finishing third in a dramatic Mexico City Grand Prix won by Max Verstappen.
The Italian, who also became his country's first Formula One champion since Ferrari's Alberto Ascari in 1953, wrapped up the championship with his 16th podium finish of the season despite a chaotic race interrupted by safety cars and a lengthy red-flag stoppage.
At 20 years and 68 days old, Antonelli broke the record previously held by four-time champion Sebastian Vettel by more than three years.
Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull, finishing just 0.799 seconds ahead of Ferrari's seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, while Antonelli crossed the line third, 3.207 seconds behind the winner.
Overcome with emotion, Antonelli thanked his Mercedes team over the radio before celebrating with his family and fellow drivers.
"We did it. I am so grateful for this moment—and it is one I will live forever. I'm speechless, just trying to process what has happened," Antonelli said.
"It's been an incredible season and to share the podium with Max and Lewis is truly incredible. I felt more tense this weekend, but I am so happy we got it done."
Hamilton started from pole position, the leading spot on the starting grid, but Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc challenged him aggressively on the opening lap.
Leclerc briefly took the lead after running off the track, while Verstappen moved up from fifth to second and Antonelli overtook Mercedes teammate George Russell for fourth.
Hamilton complained over team radio that his teammate had pushed him off the track, adding to tensions within Ferrari.
Race officials subsequently handed Leclerc a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage and Russell a 10-second penalty for causing a collision involving Isack Hadjar.
The race was further disrupted when both Aston Martin drivers retired, prompting a virtual safety car period, during which drivers must slow down under controlled conditions.
A more serious interruption followed on lap 43 when Valtteri Bottas crashed his Cadillac after a suspension failure at Turn One.
Officials deployed a safety car before stopping the race with a red flag for approximately 45 minutes.
When racing resumed for the final 25 laps, Hamilton moved past Leclerc into second place and began chasing Verstappen, while Antonelli maintained third to secure the championship.
Verstappen held off Hamilton to collect his sixth Mexico City Grand Prix victory, his third win of the season and the 74th of his Formula One career.
Leclerc finished fourth, followed by outgoing world champion Lando Norris, Russell and Oscar Piastri.
After the race, Hamilton expressed frustration with Ferrari's performance and said the team needed serious discussions behind the scenes.
1 min read
Antonelli's title sparked celebrations throughout the paddock, with Hamilton and Verstappen lifting the young Italian into the air after the podium ceremony.
Hamilton, who had recommended Antonelli as his successor at Mercedes before moving to Ferrari in 2025, praised the champion's maturity.
"Youngest world champion ever is pretty phenomenal and I'm so very grateful to be in this race and to witness it. He has had a great season and he has handled everything so well with so much grace and humility," Hamilton said.
Verstappen similarly congratulated Antonelli, describing his achievements at such a young age as remarkable.
McLaren's Norris also praised the Italian's performances throughout the championship.
"He deserves it an incredible amount. I hope even though he's young, he goes out and celebrates it. He's had an outstanding season so just very happy for him," Norris said.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff recalled bringing Antonelli into the team's development program when he was just 11 years old, after Ferrari had turned him down.
Wolff explained that he immediately considered Antonelli for a race seat when Hamilton announced his departure for Ferrari, despite concerns from sponsors about promoting such a young driver.
"It was a difficult year, but the others have got the full reward. A difficult year and now—this. I'm so proud of the team for their trust and that we delivered," Wolff said.
Antonelli's race engineer Peter Bonnington, who previously worked with Michael Schumacher and Hamilton, described the achievement as the beginning of another promising chapter.
"This is just the first chapter and tonight we are flying home and we are going to have a plane party," Bonnington said.
Antonelli's father Marco, who operates his own racing team, called the championship the greatest way his son could repay Mercedes for believing in him.
Despite making history, Antonelli said he was already looking ahead to future battles with Hamilton and Verstappen as he seeks to build on his breakthrough season.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
