Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli won the Formula 1 championship early at the age of 20 years and 68 days. The Italian, who previously led the championship standings, secured the title thanks to a third-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix. This was reported by Suspilne Sport.
Kimi Antonelli's records: youngest Formula 1 champion in 2026
For the early title, Antonelli only needed to finish ninth regardless of his rivals' results. He reached the podium, finishing behind race winner Max Verstappen from Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari.
The Italian surpassed Sebastian Vettel's achievement, who became champion in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days. Now the list of the five youngest title holders looks like this:
- Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, 2026: 20 years, 68 days.
- Sebastian Vettel, Red Bull, 2010: 23 years, 134 days.
- Lewis Hamilton, McLaren, 2008: 23 years, 300 days.
- Fernando Alonso, Renault, 2005: 24 years, 58 days.
- Max Verstappen, Red Bull, 2021: 24 years, 73 days.
Antonelli also became the first Italian champion in 73 years. Prior to him, titles were won by Giuseppe Farina in 1950 and Alberto Ascari in 1952–1953.
The championship was secured by the racer in just his second season of competing. He became the fifth driver in history with such a result and the first since Hamilton in 2008. Antonelli's season also included his first victory in China.
Formula 1: what is at stake in the battle at the end of the 2026 season
Despite having a determined champion, the battle for the remaining podium places continues. Verstappen has 261 points, Hamilton has 259, George Russell has 250, Charles Leclerc has 245, and Lando Norris has 221.
There are only two points between Verstappen and Hamilton, and 16 points between the first and fourth in this group. Therefore, the results of the next stages can significantly change the positions of the champion's pursuers.
In the Constructors' Championship, Mercedes leads Ferrari by 126 points: 630 to 504. The Italian team remains the only competitor to Mercedes in the race for the Constructors' title.
There are still the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 6-8, Las Vegas on November 19-21, Qatar on November 27-29, and Abu Dhabi on December 4-6 before the end of the season. Antonelli will continue the season as the champion, solidifying the result he achieved, particularly through his victory at the Miami Grand Prix.