Antonelli becomes F1's youngest ever champion in Mercedes takeover

Kimi Antonelli has been crowned the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, a feat that left his rivals Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen united in praise. According to BBC News, the Italian driver clinched the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix, standing alongside the two most successful champions on the current grid ^[1].

The victory marks the culmination of a rapid ascent that began just last year, when Antonelli was drafted into Mercedes to replace Hamilton himself. While his debut season in 2025 was described as shaky and inexperienced, he made a remarkable step forward in his development over the winter. By the time the 2026 season began, it was his team-mate George Russell who was initially favoured, having comfortably beaten Antonelli the previous year.

Antonelli silenced the critics immediately, finishing the first race on Russell’s tail before taking his maiden victory in the second. He went on to win five consecutive races, taking control of the championship and never looking like losing it again. His consistency was so profound that he removed almost all jeopardy from the title fight, even when Mercedes' early advantage was challenged by rivals.

Verstappen, who finished alongside Antonelli on the podium, praised the young driver's maturity. "At his age, to be so solid, not make big mistakes, and of course also beat your experienced team-mate, he's just driven incredible," Verstappen said, adding that he was proud of how Antonelli handled the season ^[1].

Lando Norris, the outgoing champion, was equally effusive, stating that Antonelli had "blown everyone away" and made other drivers look silly. "It couldn't have gone to a better person," Norris said, highlighting Antonelli's genuine nature and hard work in understanding the car ^[1].

For Antonelli, the difficulties of his rookie year were formative. He admitted that facing moments where he looked unprepared helped him mature. "Experiencing really low and difficult situations... definitely made me mature a lot as a driver, as a person," Antonelli said, noting that racing straight into the spotlight accelerated his growth compared to joining a smaller team ^[1].

Despite the dominance, the pressure remained intense. Antonelli confessed to being "tense" during qualifying in Mexico, struggling to drive as aggressively as he had in Austin. Yet, as he crossed the line to secure the championship, the emotional weight of the moment was clear. He noted that he would frame the podium photo with Hamilton and Verstappen, calling it an "incredible moment" that would always be remembered ^[1].

Damon Hill, the 1996 world champion, offered a perspective on Antonelli's future. Commentating for BBC Radio 5 live, Hill stated that he saw nothing other than Antonelli getting better and better, though he warned that the driver would have to navigate hard times ahead ^[1].