Kimi Antonelli, USA News (Mexico City): Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has won the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at the age of 20 years and 68 days, establishing himself as the youngest champion in the sport’s history. He secured the title with a third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix, leaving four races remaining in the season.
Entering the race in Mexico with a clear points advantage, Antonelli managed his position carefully throughout the event. Max Verstappen claimed the victory, while Lewis Hamilton finished second, allowing the Mercedes driver to secure the exact result needed to clinch the championship.
Antonelli’s second season in Formula 1 featured nine victories prior to the Mexico round, following his appointment to the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton under team principal Toto Wolff. His campaign in Mexico required steady control rather than maximum pace, resulting in an error-free race management performance.
The achievement marks Italy’s first drivers’ world championship since Alberto Ascari secured the title driving for Ferrari in 1953. Additionally, Antonelli surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s previous record as the youngest F1 champion, which Vettel set in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days old.
Antonelli’s career progression included European karting titles in 2020 and 2021, joining the Mercedes junior program at age 11, the Italian F4 title in 2022, Formula Regional in 2023, and victories in F2 during 2024. With the championship secured, the remaining four races of the calendar year will determine the runner-up positions.
