Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver became the youngest world champion in the sport’s history. He achieved the title with a third-place finish at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.
Antonelli needed to finish ninth or higher to clinch the championship, regardless of other results. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the race, with Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari finishing second. Antonelli’s podium finish was sufficient to put the title beyond his rivals with four rounds remaining in the season.
The 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, officially known as the Mexico City Grand Prix, was the 19th round of the 24-race calendar. The Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez circuit, located at an altitude of 2,240m, presents unique challenges for engine performance and aerodynamic downforce.
Hamilton started the race from pole position, marking his first pole for Ferrari and his 105th career pole. Charles Leclerc, also for Ferrari, qualified third. Antonelli began the race from fourth on the grid.
The race featured a chaotic start, including an incident between Hamilton and Leclerc. Antonelli maintained his position through early events. A crash involving Valtteri Bottas brought out a safety car and later a red flag.
Following a restart, Antonelli made a decisive move on Leclerc at Turn 1 on lap 48. This overtake secured third place, positioning him for the championship. Another safety car period, triggered by Arvid Lindblad’s crash, did not disrupt Antonelli’s progress.
Antonelli’s 2026 season, his second in Formula 1, marked a significant turnaround from his debut year. He replaced seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes for the 2026 season. His first F1 season in 2025 included three podium finishes and 150 points.
The Italian driver secured his maiden Grand Prix victory in China. This win initiated a dominant period, including a run of five consecutive race victories. He also claimed significant summer victories at Spa and Monza.
At Monza, Antonelli surged from 19th on the grid to win his home event. He also won the inaugural Madrid Grand Prix. Throughout the 2026 season, Antonelli accumulated nine wins and 16 podium finishes prior to Mexico.
Antonelli’s achievement at 20 years, 2 months, and 7 days old surpasses Sebastian Vettel’s record. Vettel was 23 years, 4 months, and 11 days old when he won his first title in 2010. Antonelli is the third Italian world champion, the first since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff had previously expressed confidence in the pairing of Antonelli and George Russell. Russell, Antonelli’s teammate, finished sixth in Mexico after receiving a 10-second penalty for an incident with Isack Hadjar.
The top ten finishers at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix were:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull Racing)
2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)
3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)
4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)
5. Lando Norris (McLaren)
6. George Russell (Mercedes)
7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren)
8. Franco Colapinto (Alpine)
9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls)
10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine)
The 2026 Formula 1 season will conclude with upcoming races in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi.
“We did it! Without Mercedes and my family, I wouldn’t be here. Very grateful for this moment, one that will live forever! I’m speechless, just trying to process what happened. It’s been an incredible season to share this podium with Max and Lewis, looking forward to some more battles in the future.”
