Kimi Antonelli, driving for Mercedes, secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship on November 1, 2026, at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Aged 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli became the youngest F1 World Champion in history. This achievement surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s previous record, set in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days old.
Antonelli clinched the title with a third-place finish in Mexico City, with four races remaining in the season. His debut with Mercedes occurred in 2025, replacing Lewis Hamilton and partnering George Russell. He became the third-youngest driver to start an F1 race at the 2025 Australian Grand Prix.
His record-breaking season began early, with Antonelli becoming the youngest driver to lead a Grand Prix and set a fastest lap. Both milestones were achieved at the 2025 Japanese Grand Prix, at 18 years, 7 months, and 12 days old. He surpassed Max Verstappen’s record for the youngest fastest lap, which stood at 19 years and 44 days.
The 2026 Chinese Grand Prix marked Antonelli’s maiden Grand Prix pole position and victory. At 19 years, 6 months, and 18 days, he became the youngest polesitter in F1 history. This broke Sebastian Vettel’s record, who was 21 when he took his first pole at the 2008 Italian Grand Prix.
Antonelli also holds the record for the youngest Sprint winner, achieved at Silverstone in 2026. Furthermore, his Sprint pole position at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix made him the youngest driver to take pole in that format, aged 18 years and 250 days.
Following his second victory at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, Antonelli ascended to the top of the drivers’ standings. This made him the youngest driver to lead the World Championship, at 19 years, 7 months, and 4 days old. He surpassed Lewis Hamilton’s previous record, set in 2007 at 22 years of age.
Antonelli achieved an unprecedented five consecutive Grand Prix victories in the early stages of the 2026 season. These wins occurred in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco. He is also the only driver in Formula 1 history to convert his first three pole positions into wins.
At the 2026 Monaco Grand Prix, Antonelli secured a Grand Chelem, starting from pole, leading every lap, setting the fastest lap, and winning the race. At 19 years and 9 months old, he became the youngest driver to achieve this rare feat. Max Verstappen previously held this record, achieved at 23 years and 9 months. Antonelli also became the youngest winner of the Monaco Grand Prix.
His championship also ended Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula 1 World Champion, with Alberto Ascari being the last Italian to win in 1953. Antonelli further celebrated by winning his home Grand Prix at Monza in 2026, starting from 19th on the grid. This marked the first Italian victory at Monza since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966.
Antonelli is also the first Formula 1 World Champion to have been born after the year 2000. Born on August 25, 2006, his arrival in the sport has rapidly redefined several age-related benchmarks.
As of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli has accumulated 9 wins, 7 pole positions, 10 fastest laps, and 19 podium finishes from 43 starts. He has confirmed he will retain his racing number 12 for the 2027 season.
