In brief
At the Mexican Grand Prix on 1 November 2026, Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after a third‑place finish, ending a 73‑year wait for an Italian title and breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record for youngest champion. The race saw Max Verstappen win, Lewis Hamilton finish second, and Antonelli hold his lead in the closing laps. "We did it! … I’m trying to process what’s just happened," Antonelli said after the race.
In Mexico City on Sunday, 1 November 2026, 20‑year‑old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers’ Championship after finishing third at the Mexican Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history.
With his third‑place finish, Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel’s record for youngest champion and ended a 73‑year wait for an Italian title, the first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, according to reports from Anadolu Agency, Saudi Press Agency and TASS.
Antonelli had begun the race in fourth on the grid. A chaotic opening lap saw Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc take the lead after an off‑track battle with teammate Lewis Hamilton, but the Italian driver did not lose positions despite the early turbulence.
During the first round of pit stops, Antonelli managed to stay in the front runners, briefly leading the field before the switch from soft to medium tyres brought him back to fourth. A crash involving Valtteri Bottas prompted a safety car, followed by a red flag when the circuit was cleared.
When racing resumed on lap 47, Hamilton overtook Leclerc for second place, while Antonelli held third against Lando Norris. Only a ninth‑place finish would have sealed the title, a requirement highlighted in a pre‑race press release from Mercedes.
On lap 48, Antonelli overtook Leclerc at Turn 1, taking third place and putting himself on course for the world title. Another safety car was deployed on lap 59 after Arvid Lindblad’s crash, but Antonelli remained third when play resumed.
The closing laps saw Verstappen and Hamilton battle for the lead while Antonelli controlled his pace, keeping the car steady and avoiding errors. He crossed the finish line third, 71 laps later, to claim the 2026 championship.
"We did it! And I wouldn’t be here without Mercedes and without my family. I’m speechless, I’m trying to process what’s just happened," Antonelli said after the race.
Antonelli’s championship was officially confirmed by Mercedes, who announced the victory on the team’s social‑media channels and congratulated the driver for his historic achievement.
According to TASS, Antonelli was 20 years and 69 days old when he became champion, making him the youngest winner of the Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship in the sport’s history.
