Formula One has a new history-maker. Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport after securing the 2026 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old Italian finished third in Sunday’s race, a result that was enough to confirm his first world title regardless of how his closest rivals performed.
Antonelli arrived in Mexico knowing that a top-nine finish would secure the championship. Rather than simply settling for survival, he produced a composed drive to claim a podium position and write his name into Formula One history.
Max Verstappen won the race, holding off Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic contest. Hamilton finished second, while Antonelli completed the podium.
The championship victory also ended Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record as the youngest Formula One world champion.
For Mercedes, Antonelli’s achievement is a major reward for its investment in the young driver. For Formula One fans, it marks the arrival of a new champion who could shape the sport’s future for years to come.
At only 20, Antonelli has already reached the summit of motorsport. The question now is how many more titles he can add to his name.
