Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes protege, has done it. The Italian has become Formula 1’s youngest-ever World Champion, breaking the record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was crowned champion in 2010 at the age of 23. Antonelli has achieved the feat in just his second season with Mercedes, having endured a difficult rookie campaign before dominating the 2026 season.Nine wins, 16 podiums in 19 rounds and six consecutive victories. His 2026 campaign was a remarkable turnaround from a debut season in which the pressure of replacing a seven-time world champion often showed.Antonelli’s Formula 1 journey took a significant turn in August 2024 when Mercedes announced him as Hamilton’s replacement for the 2025 season.Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari brought an end to a hugely successful partnership that had produced six Drivers’ Championships and multiple Constructors’ titles. Replacing a driver of his stature was never going to be an easy assignment, particularly for an 18-year-old making his Formula 1 debut.However, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff placed his faith in Antonelli, who had impressed through the junior categories.It was not a decision taken lightly. Mercedes were handing one of the biggest seats in Formula 1 to an 18-year-old, with the added responsibility of replacing a seven-time world champion. Antonelli had won the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships in 2022 before claiming the Formula Regional European Championship in 2023. He subsequently moved directly into Formula 2, skipping Formula 3 altogether.
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, who finished third, is lifted by race winner Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and second placed Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after winning the world championship at the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix auto race in Mexico City (AP Photo/Fernando Llano)]
A difficult rookie season: When expectations became overwhelming
At the start of his F1 career in 2025, Antonelli secured fourth and sixth positions in China and Japan, showing that the Mercedes protege could compete with the established names on the grid. But the Italian endured a difficult European stretch, with retirements at Imola, Spain, Austria and Britain, alongside disappointing results in Monaco and Belgium.Antonelli later admitted that he had allowed the expectations surrounding him to affect his performances.“I let the pressure kind of destroy me as well during that period,” he reflected while discussing his difficult rookie campaign.There were encouraging moments, too. Antonelli secured his maiden Formula 1 podium with a third-place finish in Canada. He later finished second in Brazil and added another podium in Las Vegas. He ended his debut campaign with 150 points and three podium finishes, despite the difficult spells through the season.
The 2026 turnaround: From rookie to champion
The first season had given Antonelli a difficult introduction to Formula 1. He returned in 2026 with a better understanding of the demands of the sport and the expectations that came with driving for Mercedes.He finished second at the Australian Grand Prix before producing a breakthrough performance in China. After securing his maiden Formula 1 pole position in Shanghai, Antonelli converted it into his first Grand Prix victory.The Italian briefly lost the lead to Hamilton at the start but recovered his position before the end of the second lap. He subsequently controlled the race and crossed the finish line 5.5 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell.At 19, Antonelli became the second-youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula 1 history and the first Italian to win a race in the sport since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.He followed that performance with another victory in Japan, establishing himself as a serious championship contender.
Nine victories that defined Antonelli’s championship season
Antonelli’s 2026 campaign was built around nine Grand Prix victories. His maiden win in China was followed by another victory in Japan. He continued his run with victories in Miami and Canada before adding Monaco to his growing list of achievements.He also won in Belgium, Italy, Spain and the United States, taking his season tally to nine Grand Prix victories.His victory in Mexico was among the standout performances of the campaign. The middle portion of the season, however, was not without setbacks. Antonelli retired in Barcelona and finished 15th at the British Grand Prix.
From his rookie season in 2025 to world champion in 2026, a look at Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable numbers and the progress behind his rise to the top.
How Antonelli dominated the championship standings
After victories in China and Japan, Antonelli moved to the top of the World Championship standings. Even when wins proved difficult to secure, he continued to collect valuable points through podium finishes and top-five results.By the end of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli has 380 points, giving him a 119-point advantage over his closest challenger, Max Verstappen, who had 261 points.Lewis Hamilton is third in the standings with 259 points, followed by George Russell on 250.Antonelli’s championship-winning campaign included nine Grand Prix victories, 16 podiums, seven pole positions and seven fastest laps.
Mexico City: The race that crowned Antonelli champion
Antonelli arrived at the Mexico City Grand Prix knowing that a ninth-place finish would be enough to secure the championship, regardless of his rivals’ results.Starting fifth on the grid, the Mercedes driver faced a race interrupted by a red flag following an accident involving Valtteri Bottas. A late Safety Car period after Arvid Lindblad’s crash added further uncertainty.Verstappen eventually secured the victory, with Hamilton finishing second. Antonelli, however, held on to third place and brought his Mercedes home.The 15 points he collected were enough to put the championship beyond mathematical reach.When his race engineer Peter Bonnington confirmed the title over team radio, Antonelli could barely contain his emotions.“We did it! Thank you so much,” he responded.
From his maiden Grand Prix victory in China to nine wins in a championship-winning campaign, a look at the victories that defined Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 season.]
Breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record
Antonelli’s championship also brought an end to Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record as Formula 1’s youngest-ever World Champion.Vettel had won his first Drivers’ Championship with Red Bull in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days. Antonelli surpassed that mark at 20 years and 68 days, becoming the youngest driver in the sport’s history to win the title.He also became Italy’s first Formula 1 World Champion since Alberto Ascari, who secured back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953.
At 20 years and 68 days, Kimi Antonelli has entered Formula 1 history. Here’s how he compares with the youngest drivers to win the world championship.]
The difference between his first and second seasons was evident in the results. From 150 points and three podiums in 2025, Antonelli progressed to 380 points, nine victories and 16 podiums in 2026.Hamilton’s departure opened the door, and Wolff’s faith gave him the opportunity. Antonelli has now delivered the championship Mercedes backed him to win.KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION.
