Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has made history as the youngest Formula 1 world champion at just 20 years old. After debuting in 2025 with Mercedes following Lewis Hamilton's move to Ferrari, Antonelli finished seventh that season, securing three fastest laps compared to teammate George Russell's two wins. The 2026 campaign saw a significant turnaround for the Italian, who benefited from the improved Mercedes W17 chassis. Antonelli dominated the season with seven pole positions, seven fastest laps, and nine Grand Prix victories, clinching the title with 380 points four races before the end of the year. He finished well ahead of Max Verstappen (261), Hamilton (259), and Russell (250).
Despite his mastery on the track, Antonelli faced a comical setback off it while traveling to the Austin circuit in Texas. The driver and Russell were driving Mercedes-AMG GT 4-Door Coupés when Antonelli, eager to make a fast start, mistakenly engaged reverse instead of drive. He subsequently crashed the rear of his vehicle into a wall constructed from wooden pallets. The incident occurred because Antonelli has held a regular driving license for only two years, despite his professional status in motorsport.
Teammate George Russell found the situation highly amusing, mocking Antonelli after the car unexpectedly moved backward instead of forward. The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team published a video of the event, capturing Russell's reaction. Team principal Toto Wolff remained unfazed by the damaged road car, noting that Antonelli had secured pole position and a victory at the United States Grand Prix held that same weekend, an achievement that likely overshadowed the parking lot mishap.
Sources: Observador.