Kimi Antonelli creates history, becomes youngest F1 world champion

On a sun-kissed morning at the Circuit of the Americas, a solitary sportswriter strolled along pit lane ahead of the Formula 1 United States Grand Prix. The LED screen looming over the track briefly flashed, "Kimi Antonelli, 2026 FIA Formula 1 World Champion." The race officials preparing for every eventuality were familiar with the video board operators readying for any possibility.

However, this time, Antonelli's victory in the United States Grand Prix did not secure his maiden title. The video operators in Austin averted the need to flash that message.

Antonelli entered the Mexico City Grand Prix on the cusp of a title. Although he had to skip Thursday's media day due to a viral illness, he performed well on Saturday, starting the race from P4 alongside Charles Leclerc and George Russell. Leclerc and Verstappen led the race, with Hamilton in third place. Antonelli raced cautiously, taking the lead behind Leclerc, Max Verstappen, and Lewis Hamilton.

He continued to take the laps, displaying the same skills that had put him on the brink of becoming the sport's youngest champion.

His race engineer, Peter "Bono" Bonnington, encouraged him on Lap 42, telling him to keep going. On Lap 43, Antonelli came in, and his team delivered a 4.3-second pit stop. Despite a slower stop, Antonelli finished the race in P4, 12 seconds behind Hamilton. A Safety Car brought the race to an end due to a crash by Valtteri Bottas, and the race officials revised the starting order.

Verstappen stayed ahead, Hamilton dropped into second place, and Antonelli crossed the finish line in third place, securing his place on the podium.

However, the drama was not over. An incident between Arvid Lindblad and Oscar Piastri resulted in an additional Safety Car, and the race resumed with a nine-lap sprint to the checkered flag. Verstappen won the race, followed by Hamilton and Antonelli. Antonelli joined a prestigious club of F1 Drivers' Champions, fulfilling his childhood dream.