Kimi Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 World Champion in History

Historic Achievement

Kimi Antonelli of the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team clinched the 2026 F1 World Championship title during the 19th round at the Mexican Grand Prix. Finishing in third place, Antonelli reached this milestone at the age of 20 years and 68 days, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's previous record of 23 years and 134 days set in 2010.

Impressive Performance

In his second year in F1, Antonelli has demonstrated exceptional skill, winning a total of nine Grands Prix this season. With 380 points in the Driver Championship standings, he leads second-place Max Verstappen by 119 points, ensuring his championship title with four races still to go.

Milestone for Mercedes

Antonelli's victory marks the first time a driver from the Mercedes-AMG junior program has become World Champion, contributing to Mercedes-Benz's tenth driver championship title in F1 history. He also becomes the first Italian driver to win the championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Antonelli's Gratitude

Expressing his joy, Antonelli stated, "Our team has had a strong machine from the beginning of the season, allowing us to compete for the championship. I'm thrilled to repay the trust the team has shown me with this championship title." He extended his thanks to his team, family, and fans for their support.

Looking Ahead

Currently leading the Constructors Championship with 630 points, Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team will head to Brazil for the 20th round of the 2026 F1 World Championship starting on the 7th of this month. The team competes with the Mercedes-AMG F1 W17 E PERFORMANCE machine, featuring a new hybrid power unit developed in line with the 2026 regulations, designed for thermal stability and energy efficiency throughout various driving conditions.