Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been crowned the 2026 Formula 1 World Champion, securing the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1. The Mercedes driver finished third in the race, which was won by Max Verstappen.
At 20 years and 68 days old, Antonelli becomes the youngest Formula 1 World Champion in history. This achievement breaks the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 134 days old when he won his first title in 2010.
Antonelli is also the first Italian driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for his nation.
Max Verstappen, who won the Mexico City Grand Prix, praised Antonelli’s performance. Verstappen described Antonelli as an “extreme talent” and expressed pride in his achievement.
“He is extremely talented. To perform under pressure like that is not given to everyone. Some are better at it than others. I find it very nice to see how well he has continued to perform under pressure.”
Verstappen noted Antonelli’s progression from his karting days, stating he had “zero doubt” about the Italian’s ability to make the jump from his rookie season in 2025 to his championship-winning year in 2026.
Former Haas team principal Günther Steiner also offered significant praise for Antonelli. Steiner categorised Antonelli as an “exceptional talent, in the category of Max Verstappen,” and suggested he is “better than Sebastian Vettel.”
Steiner indicated he would choose Antonelli over Verstappen for a four-year contract, predicting Antonelli would surpass Verstappen’s performance within that timeframe.
He cited Antonelli’s comeback victory at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix, where he won from 19th on the grid, as evidence of his comprehensive skill set.
Antonelli debuted in Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2025 at the age of 18, taking the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton. The 2026 season marks his second year in the sport.
Mercedes provided Antonelli with a highly competitive car in 2026, establishing an early technical advantage.
Antonelli’s performance this season has significantly outpaced his teammate, George Russell. Russell acknowledged Antonelli has been operating at a “higher level” throughout the year.
Before the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli held a substantial 123-point lead over Russell in the Drivers’ Championship standings.
His junior career saw him join the Mercedes Junior Team in 2019 at 12 years old. He dominated Italian and ADAC Formula 4 in 2022.
Mercedes fast-tracked Antonelli directly to Formula 2 in 2024, bypassing Formula 3. He has also set records for the youngest polesitter, youngest driver to set a fastest lap, and youngest to achieve a grand chelem.
Frits van Amersfoort, who managed Max Verstappen in Formula 3 in 2014, observed Antonelli’s exceptional talent during his 2022 Formula 4 championship season. Van Amersfoort described Antonelli as “unbeatable” and an “illegal driver” due to his sheer speed.
Motorsport analyst Jeroen Bleekemolen characterised Antonelli’s performance as “phenomenal,” highlighting his consistent control and lack of errors throughout the season.
The Mexico City Grand Prix itself was an eventful race, featuring a red flag and multiple penalties for various drivers.
