Kimi Antonelli, Digi Mart USA News: Kimi Antonelli has revealed he will frame the picture of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton lifting him onto their shoulders on the Mexico City podium as one of the most “special moments” of his career.
The 20-year-old sealed the 2026 drivers’ title with third place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, a result that mathematically ended the title fight with four rounds still to run. Verstappen and Hamilton, who finished first and second respectively, hoisted the new champion onto their shoulders on the podium in a spontaneous show of celebration.
Antonelli’s triumph came in his second season with Mercedes rather than as a rookie, following his debut campaign in 2025. He is the youngest world champion in F1 history.
Speaking on the Nu Silver Arrows radio show, Antonelli said the gesture from two of the sport’s most decorated drivers left him overwhelmed. “Yeah, it’s surreal,” he said.
“I’m very grateful for all the opportunities that I have been given, and this moment, the moment on the podium, is one of those memories that will live forever.”
“To see so much respect and appreciation from the two drivers who have made the history of the sport, and they’re still doing so because they’re still competing at the top and achieving incredible results,” he said. “To see so much respect and appreciation, and for sure, what they did, picking me up on the podium, is a moment that I will always be grateful to them for as well, because it was also unexpected for me.”
“Once they picked me up, I was just so happy and I got so emotional as well, because it was such a special moment for me. And definitely, that picture, I will frame it, as I said many times.
I will frame it and put it on the wall because it’s such a special memory and such a special moment that will always be remembered.”
Radio show host for the episode, former F1 driver Anthony Davidson, compared the photograph to images of Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost and Nigel Mansell, three drivers he grew up watching. Asked whether the image could stand alongside famous podium photographs from that era, Antonelli placed it among his own most treasured memories.
“I mean for sure it’s a very special one,” Antonelli added. “I think for me, like among with Monza, it’s probably one of the most special pictures that I’ve ever seen from my side, of course.
Like pictures of course, from my racing career.”
