Why Italy’s F1 champion Kimi Antonelli doesn’t drive for Ferrari and Mercedes’ bet paid off

In the thin air of Mexico City, 20-year-old Italian racer Andrea Kimi Antonelli was declared Formula One world champion on March 29, 2026. With just two points remaining, he secured his first title, becoming the youngest champion in F1 history at 20 years and 68 days. His achievement ended a 73-year wait for Italy to claim an F1 drivers' title.

Antonelli surpassed Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 134 days, set in 2010. He is the first Italian to win the crown since Alberto Ascari in 1953 and the first to do so in a car built outside of Italy.

Antonelli's rise to the top has been remarkable. Last season, he was an error-prone rookie who finished seventh in the final standings. However, he led the championship from March following the Japanese Grand Prix, holding a 123-point advantage over his teammate, George Russell. Despite Mercedes building the best car of F1's new era, the machinery only explains part of Antonelli's success.

Russell, in an identical car, was initially considered the favorite for the title. However, Russell's smoother driving style has struggled in the current season's regulations, while Antonelli's aggressive approach has allowed him to manage rear-tyre temperatures and preserve battery power for the straights.

The 2026 regulations, featuring narrower tyres and less downforce, have given drivers less warning before losing grip and making the rear more prone to sliding. These cars reward aggression, and Antonelli's instincts and daring style suit them well. He attacks each bend, turning late and sharply, trying to "fold the corner up like a handkerchief." His hands rarely sit still, making tiny steering adjustments that help him manage slides without losing speed.

Antonelli's success can also be attributed to his temperament. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised the "serenity and structure" the Italian brought to the tracks this year. Despite his repeated track-limit infringements, his pace has been outstanding. His first win came in Shanghai, where he became the youngest pole-sitter in the sport's history and won his first Grand Prix.

In his home race at Monza, despite starting from 19th due to an engine change, Antonelli scythed through the field, completing 26 overtakes and passing Russell on older tyres to win for the first time in Italy since 1966.