Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion at 20

Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion after race in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest F1 world champion, clinching the title at the age of 20 at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix in Mexico, The Drive reports. The Mercedes driver achieved the feat in his second season.

The Italian finished third in his Mercedes W26. Max Verstappen won the race, with Lewis Hamilton taking second. The result was enough for Antonelli to secure the drivers’ championship before the end of the season.

The previous age record belonged to Sebastian Vettel, who won the championship in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days old. Hamilton claimed his first title in 2008 at 23 years and 300 days. Fernando Alonso first became champion in 2005 at 24 years and 57 days, while Verstappen won his first championship in 2021 at 24 years and 73 days.

After the Mexican round, Antonelli had 9 F1 race wins to his name. His teammate George Russell, who has competed in the championship since 2019, had won 8 races by that point.

A week before the race in Mexico, FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem praised Antonelli’s talent while speaking to a writer for The Drive in Austin, saying the driver works every day, does not complain and keeps doing his job regardless of the circumstances. According to the publication, Ben Sulayem also admitted he had been surprised to see a super licence application from such a young driver.

After the race, Verstappen called Antonelli a deserving champion. He noted that the Italian had performed consistently throughout the season, avoided major mistakes and managed to beat an experienced teammate. Verstappen said delivering results consistently is difficult, and winning the title in only his second year was particularly impressive.

On the podium, Verstappen and Hamilton lifted the new champion into the air. The title celebrations took place in front of packed grandstands in the stadium section of the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, where fans cheered the champions and local driver Checo Pérez. Pérez finished his home race in 11th place.

For Hamilton, whom Antonelli replaced at Mercedes, sharing the podium was one of the most special moments he had experienced at the Mexican circuit. He stressed that he was happy to be alongside the Italian as he celebrated his first championship.