Kimi Antonelli has been crowned the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers’ Champion after securing the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, November 1. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver needed only a ninth-place finish to clinch the championship, but completed the race in third at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Max Verstappen won the race, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton finished second. Antonelli’s result was enough to confirm his title in only his second Formula 1 season.
The Italian has also set several records. At 20 years and 68 days old, he is the youngest drivers’ champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record of 23 years and 134 days, set in 2010. Antonelli is also the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, the youngest champion in Mercedes history and the first Formula 1 champion born in the 21st century.
Earlier in the season, Antonelli became the youngest pole-sitter in Formula 1 history at the Chinese Grand Prix. He also became the first Italian to win at Monza since 1966.
Antonelli celebrated the achievement with his Mercedes team and his family, including his parents, Marco and Veronica, and his younger sister, Maggie. Speaking after the race, he credited Mercedes and his family for helping him reach the milestone, calling the moment one that would live forever.
Antonelli and teammate George Russell will now turn their attention to the Constructors’ Championship. Mercedes leads the teams’ standings with 630 points, ahead of Ferrari on 504, and could secure the title at next weekend’s race in Brazil.
Sources: Just Jared.