Susanna Riva November 1, 2026, marks an indelible date in the memories of Formula 1 fans. Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli finished the season in third place at the Mexican Grand Prix, securing the world title with four races to spare. At just 20 years old, the young man from Bologna became the youngest champion in the history of the premier motorsport category, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record, which had been held for almost sixteen years.
The triumph in Mexico breaks a 73-year wait.
The Hermanos Rodríguez Circuit was the scene of an unexpected scene: Max Verstappen won, Lewis Hamilton finished second, but all eyes were on Antonelli, who finished third. With that result, Italy returned to the podium after 73 years , since 1953, when Alberto Ascari won the last Italian title.
Antonelli is thus the third Italian driver to take home the world cup , joining Giuseppe Farina (1950) and Alberto Ascari (1952-53). The triumph was also celebrated by the Prime Minister, who on social media called the victory "a source of great pride for our nation."
Words from the world of sport's leading figures
Congratulations also poured in from stars of other sports. Minister for Sport and Youth, Andrea Abodi, praised the youngster's "fierce determination" and "genuine simplicity," emphasizing that his victory demonstrates that Italy still has talent to support. Vasco Rossi, on his Instagram profile, also called Antonelli "brilliant, extraordinary, crazy," while Valentino Rossi commented live on Sky Sport: "He was scary, he made the difference on everyone, and the difference he made on his teammate was impressive." His MotoGP teammate, Marco Bezzecchi, concluded: "Kimi, I can't wait to hug you."
A cascade of records that redraw history
The 2026 title is just the latest in a series of records set by Antonelli. On March 14, during qualifying for the Chinese Grand Prix, he took pole position at 19 years and 201 days, becoming the youngest ever to start from the front. The following day, in the same race, he took his first Formula 1 victory , placing himself among the youngest winners since Max Verstappen. In Shanghai, he also set the fastest lap, completing a perfect weekend of pole, victory, and fastest lap, a feat never seen before by a driver under the age of 20.
Early leadership and dominance in the standings
After the Japanese GP, Antonelli led the overall standings at just 19 years old, setting a new record as the youngest driver to lead the championship . His rise occurred in just two seasons: debuting in 2025 with Mercedes, replacing Lewis Hamilton, and winning the title in 2026. Furthermore, he is the first driver born in the 2000s to become world champion , symbolically marking the entry of a new generation into the discipline's hall of fame.
The significance of the victory for Italy and for Mercedes
Beyond its historic significance, Antonelli's triumph makes Mercedes the first team to award a world title to an Italian. The result demonstrates that talent is no longer tied to a single nation, but can emerge anywhere, especially with technical support and an organization that nurtures young talent. In Italy, the victory was hailed as a sign of sporting rebirth, with politicians, musicians, and athletes celebrating the achievement, highlighting the importance of supporting emerging talent. Antonelli's future looks promising: with Mercedes at his side, the coming seasons will likely be filled with new challenges against legends like Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.