Kimi Antonelli has officially made Formula 1 history, becoming the youngest world champion ever at just 20 years and 68 days old after securing the 2026 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. While Max Verstappen celebrated another victory for Red Bull, all eyes were on the young Italian as he completed one of the most remarkable championship campaigns in recent F1 history.

Antonelli needed only a ninth place finish to guarantee the title, regardless of the results of his closest rivals. Starting fourth on the grid, the Mercedes driver delivered a controlled performance around the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, eventually crossing the finish line in third place to secure his maiden world championship with four races still remaining.

The achievement sees Antonelli break Sebastian Vettel’s long standing record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion. Vettel previously set the record at 23 years and 134 days when he won his first title with Red Bull in 2010. Antonelli has now beaten that record by more than three years.

It is also a historic moment for Italian motorsport, ending a 73 year wait for an Italian Formula 1 world champion. The last Italian to win the Drivers’ Championship was Alberto Ascari in 1953.

While Antonelli celebrated his championship, Verstappen produced another impressive drive to take victory in a dramatic race filled with incidents, penalties and a red flag interruption.

Starting fifth, Verstappen made an excellent getaway and immediately joined the fight at the front. An intense opening lap saw Charles Leclerc take the lead from Ferrari teammate Lewis Hamilton, while Verstappen moved into contention. Leclerc later received a five second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track, adding further drama to Ferrari’s race.

The biggest interruption came when Valtteri Bottas crashed heavily in his Cadillac, bringing out the red flag and forcing a lengthy stoppage for barrier repairs. After the restart, Hamilton launched an attack on Verstappen, with the two former championship rivals making contact as they fought for the lead.

Verstappen held his position under pressure and managed the closing stages perfectly to claim his third victory of the 2026 season and the 74th Grand Prix win of his career.

Hamilton finished second after a strong performance for Ferrari, while Antonelli completed the podium in third to seal the championship. Leclerc finished fourth after his penalty, followed by Lando Norris in fifth. George Russell finished sixth, while Oscar Piastri recovered to seventh.

For Mercedes, Antonelli’s championship represents another major achievement and the team’s first Drivers’ Championship since Lewis Hamilton won the title in 2020. It also marks the arrival of a new generation of Formula 1 champion, with Antonelli delivering the ultimate reward in only his second season in the sport.

The young Italian has been outstanding throughout 2026, collecting nine Grand Prix victories before arriving in Mexico with a commanding championship advantage. His consistency and ability to deliver under pressure have made him the standout driver of the season.

Verstappen may have taken the chequered flag in Mexico, but the biggest celebration belonged to Antonelli.

At just 20 years and 68 days old, Kimi Antonelli has rewritten Formula 1 history, becoming the youngest world champion the sport has ever seen. A new era has officially begun.