Kimi Antonelli: How F1’s newest superstar went from rookie to record-breaker
In the thin air of Mexico City, Andrea Kimi Antonelli could finally exhale, weeping on the radio as he was declared Formula One world champion with four races left in the 2026 season. The Italian needed just two points to secure his first title. He finished on the podium in third place before being hoisted onto the shoulders of two of F1’s greatest drivers, four-time world champion Max Verstappen…
In the high altitude of Mexico City, Andrea Kimi Antonelli experienced pure joy as he was announced as the Formula One world champion, even though there were still four races left in the 2026 season. The Italian champion needed just two points to clinch his first title, finishing on the podium in third place before being lifted onto the shoulders of two F1 legends, Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.
Antonelli's statistics are astonishing. At just 20 years and 68 days, he is the youngest champion in F1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 134 days in 2010. He is the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for Italy. The Mercedes team constructed the best car for F1's new era, but the machinery is only part of the story.
Teammate George Russell, driving the same car, was expected to win the title, yet Antonelli led by 123 points, with nine grand prix victories, five of which came in a row from China to Monaco. He held the championship lead since March after the Japanese Grand Prix.
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- Kimi Antonelli: How F1’s newest superstar went from rookie to record-breaker thenationalnews.com
