Kimi Antonelli has created history by becoming the youngest Formula One world champion after securing the 2026 drivers’ championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian achieved the remarkable milestone on Sunday, November 1, after finishing third in a dramatic race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez circuit. While Red Bull’s Max Verstappen claimed the race victory, Antonelli’s podium finish was enough to confirm his place in Formula One history.

Driving for Mercedes, Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to win the Formula One world championship at the age of 20 years and 68 days. He broke the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 134 days old when he secured his first world title with Red Bull in 2010.

The achievement also ended Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula One world champion. Alberto Ascari was the last Italian driver to win the prestigious title, achieving the feat in 1953. Antonelli has now joined the country’s most celebrated names in motorsport, becoming the first Italian to lift the drivers’ championship since Ascari.

The Mercedes youngster arrived in Mexico City with a strong advantage in the championship standings. He needed only a ninth-place finish to mathematically secure the title, irrespective of how his closest competitors, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell, performed. However, Antonelli went beyond what was required, delivering a composed performance to finish on the podium.

Starting fourth on the grid, Antonelli maintained his position among the leading drivers during the opening stages. The race, however, was far from straightforward, with several incidents, safety car interruptions and a red flag adding to the challenge.

Hamilton, driving for Ferrari, had started from pole position and initially held the lead. His teammate Charles Leclerc challenged him through the opening corners, with the two Ferrari drivers becoming involved in a fierce battle. Leclerc went off the track while attempting to take the lead, allowing Verstappen to move ahead of Hamilton.

The incident resulted in a five-second penalty for Leclerc, further complicating Ferrari’s afternoon. Verstappen capitalised on the situation to move into a strong position and eventually take control of the race.

Antonelli, meanwhile, concentrated on maintaining his pace and avoiding trouble. A major incident involving Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas brought out the red flag on lap 46. Bottas suffered a front-left suspension failure at high speed and crashed into the barriers at Turn 1. He received medical attention before being taken for precautionary checks and was subsequently released.

The race was restarted after a stoppage of approximately 33 minutes, with the drivers returning to the track for the remaining laps. Antonelli handled the restart confidently and soon moved ahead of Leclerc to secure third position.

Another safety car interruption followed after a collision involving McLaren’s Oscar Piastri and Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad. Lindblad crashed into the barriers, bringing the field closer together with eight laps remaining.

Verstappen managed the final restart successfully despite sustained pressure from Hamilton. The Dutchman crossed the finish line 0.799 seconds ahead of the Ferrari driver to secure his sixth victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix and his third race win of the 2026 season.

Hamilton finished second, while Antonelli completed the podium in third, 4.006 seconds behind the winner. Leclerc finished fourth, followed by McLaren’s Lando Norris in fifth. Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate Russell came home sixth.

The result confirmed Antonelli’s maiden Formula One drivers’ championship, with his overall lead becoming an unassailable 119 points. Russell, who needed a victory to retain any mathematical chance of staying in the title contest, could not prevent his teammate from taking the crown.

The celebrations that followed were emotional. Antonelli struggled to contain his feelings as his race engineer Peter Bonnington congratulated him over the team radio. The young Italian thanked Mercedes and his family, acknowledging the support that had helped him reach the biggest milestone of his career.

“I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened,” Antonelli said after securing the championship. He also described the opportunity to share the podium with experienced champions Verstappen and Hamilton as a special moment.

His parents and younger sister were present in Mexico City to witness the historic achievement. They joined him in celebrating after he stepped out of his Mercedes car, while members of the team gathered around the new world champion.

Antonelli’s success marks another major achievement for Mercedes, which has seen the young driver emerge as one of Formula One’s leading competitors. His championship victory also comes at a time when the team is looking to strengthen its position among the sport’s top constructors.

The 2026 title battle may be decided, but the constructors’ championship remains open. Mercedes leads Ferrari with 630 points against 504 and could secure the team title at the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix.

Verstappen’s victory in Mexico has also strengthened his position in the drivers’ standings, moving him to second overall, ahead of Hamilton. The Formula One season will now move to Brazil for the next round, scheduled from November 6 to 8.