Kimi Antonelli has made history by becoming the youngest Formula 1 World Champion of all time, clinching the title on Sunday at the Mexico Grand Prix at the age of 20. Driving for Mercedes, the young driver described the achievement as a lifelong dream realized through years of hard work since childhood. He expressed deep gratitude to his family, team, and friends for their support throughout his journey from karting to the pinnacle of motorsport.
Emotions ran high as Antonelli crossed the finish line, admitting that he had been crying during the previous lap, which cost him two seconds and blurred his vision. Despite seeing two Ferraris through his tears, he described the final moments as a special release of emotion after fulfilling one of his greatest dreams. The podium ceremony at Foro Sol was particularly memorable for Antonelli, who stood alongside legends Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. He noted the respect shown by these historic drivers and stated that he would frame the photo from this unique moment to keep at home.
Reflecting on a season marked by nine victories, Antonelli highlighted consistency as his key to success. He emphasized the importance of approaching every weekend with passion and enjoying the sport, acknowledging the luck of turning his passion into a profession. While he found it difficult to choose a single favorite win, he singled out his home race at Monza as very special, along with his first victory in China. The win at Spa also held significant weight, serving as a redemption after what he described as the hardest moment of his career there last year.
Antonelli addressed the skepticism he faced previously, stating that it was always pleasant to silence critics who questioned his ability to compete in F1. He explained that navigating those difficult moments under pressure helped him mature both as a driver and as a person. He credited his direct move to Mercedes for accelerating his progress compared to starting in a smaller team. Looking ahead to next season, Antonelli confirmed he will retain his number 12 car rather than adopting the champion's number 1. He cited superstition and a desire to stay humble as reasons for keeping the number, noting that the number 1 has historically brought him bad luck.
Sources: Le Figaro.