Mexico City: Italian driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula One world champion on 1 November 2026, securing his maiden title at 20 after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Mercedes driver clinched the championship with four races remaining, breaking the record set by Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title at 23 in 2010.
Antonelli also became the first Italian to win the Formula One Drivers' Championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73 year wait for Italy.
The championship marked Mercedes' first drivers' title since Lewis Hamilton's 2020 victory and the team's 10th overall.
Verstappen wins Mexican Grand Prix as Antonelli secures title
Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finishing second and Antonelli completing the podium.
Antonelli entered the race needing only a ninth place finish to secure the championship. Starting fourth on the grid, he maintained a competitive position throughout the race before moving into third following a restart.
The race was interrupted by a red flag following Valtteri Bottas's crash at the first corner.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc finished fourth after receiving a five second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track during an attempted overtake.
The penalty followed a dispute between the Ferrari drivers, with Hamilton expressing frustration at Leclerc's actions.
Nine victories in a dominant second season
Antonelli secured nine Grand Prix victories in the 2026 season, establishing a substantial championship lead after winning five of the first six races.
He moved to the top of the standings following the third round in Japan and maintained his position despite growing competition from Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
The Italian failed to score points on only two occasions, both due to mechanical problems.
Among his notable performances was a victory at the Italian Grand Prix at Monza, where he recovered from 19th on the starting grid.
Mercedes recruited Antonelli into its junior driver programme when he was 12. He joined the Formula One team in 2025, replacing Hamilton after the seven time champion moved to Ferrari.
He won his first title in his second season at Formula One's highest level.
Hamilton and Verstappen congratulate new champion
Antonelli received congratulations from several established drivers, including Verstappen, Hamilton and reigning 2025 champion Lando Norris.
Verstappen praised the Italian's consistency and ability to compete against more experienced drivers.
"I think to achieve this in your second year in F1 is always very impressive," Verstappen said.
Hamilton described sharing the podium with Antonelli during his first championship celebration as a special moment.
Norris also acknowledged the Mercedes driver's performance throughout the season, saying he deserved the recognition for his achievements.
Antonelli's title sets a new era record in Formula One and gives Mercedes its first drivers' championship under the regulations introduced for the 2026 season.
With four races still scheduled, attention now turns to the remaining championship contests and preparations for the 2027 season.
