Kimi Antonelli has won the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship at the age of 20, becoming the sport’s youngest champion after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, 1 November.
Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull, with Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton second. Antonelli’s podium finish secured his first title for Mercedes, Formula 1 confirmed in its official race report.
The Italian arrived in Mexico needing a ninth-place finish to settle the championship regardless of his closest rivals’ results. He finished comfortably above that threshold despite a race interrupted by a red flag and a late Safety Car.
A title secured without a race win
Antonelli started fourth and moved ahead of Charles Leclerc after the restart to claim the final podium place. Verstappen crossed the line 0.799 seconds ahead of Hamilton, with Antonelli 4.006 seconds behind the winner.
The championship and the race therefore produced different winners: Verstappen took the grand prix, while Antonelli secured the season title with races still to run.
Italy’s long wait ends
Formula 1 said Antonelli had accumulated 380 points across 19 rounds, putting him beyond the reach of his challengers. It also described him as Italy’s first world champion in 73 years.
In his post-race reaction, Antonelli credited Mercedes and his family, describing a season built on a strong car and consistent performances. He said he had felt additional pressure during the Mexico weekend.
The championship continues with the São Paulo Grand Prix weekend from 6 to 8 November, according to Formula 1’s published race report.
