Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula One world champion in Mexico at 20 years, two months and seven days, in his second season in the category. The Italian is the first champion born in the 21st century and moves ahead of Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 when he won in 2010; Lewis Hamilton, 23 in 2008; Fernando Alonso, 24 in 2005; and Max Verstappen, 24 in 2021.
At the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Antonelli needed only to finish ninth if George Russell or Lewis Hamilton won. Neither did: Verstappen won, and Antonelli took third from fourth on the grid over the 71 laps to secure the title.
Antonelli's season was built on regularity and boldness. He took nine wins and 15 podiums in 19 races with Mercedes' W16, described as the best car under the new semi-electric regulations. After early mistakes at race starts, he took a podium in Australia and then five consecutive victories, becoming the youngest championship leader in history in Japan at 19 years and seven months. By Monaco, in the first quarter of the season, he led by 66 points and had already established himself as the title favourite ahead of teammate Russell.
His Monza victory from 19th on the grid was the second-biggest comeback in F1 history, behind only John Watson's win from 22nd in the United States in 1983. The result also ended long Italian droughts: he became the first Italian race winner in 20 years, since Giancarlo Fisichella in Malaysia in 2006; the first Italian to lead the championship since Fisichella; the first to win at Monza in 60 years, since Ludovico Scarfiotti in 1966; and the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, 73 seasons earlier.
Mercedes backed Antonelli from karting, with Toto Wolff identifying him early. Sergi Ávila, a Barcelona-based physical trainer from the INEFC de Montjuïc, began working with him in 2022, when Antonelli raced in and won Italian F4, and moved to Bologna to stay by his side. Ávila has handled fitness, psychology and logistics and lives with him in San Marino. Peter Bonington, formerly Hamilton's track engineer, and Antonelli's father, Marco, a former touring car and GT driver, are also part of his trusted core.
Some specialists have argued that Antonelli does not have the raw talent of Verstappen, Hamilton or Alonso, noting that he was sixth in the step before F2, behind rivals Gabriel Bortoleto and Isack Hadjar. Alonso questioned his quality. Àlex Palou, the five-time IndyCar champion, described the title as fully deserved, citing how few mistakes Antonelli made at such a young age and his speed, and placed him among the top modern drivers alongside Verstappen, Alonso and Hamilton.
Antonelli's rise follows a difficult first season, when he finished seventh with four retirements, and a 2024 debut as a third driver at Monza that ended against the wall. In 2026 he turned those doubts into conviction with a powerful Mercedes package, and his success won over Italian fans, who embraced him and set aside Ferrari at Monza after his comeback victory.
Sources: La Vanguardia.