The Mercedes driver finished third in the race, a result sufficient to clinch the championship with four races still remaining.
Early Career and Rise to Prominence
However, he recognized Kimi’s natural talent after observing him control a Lamborghini simulator at age 10, stating I saw he was doing a perfect job with oversteer, everything. I said, ‘Maybe he’s really special,’.
This trio ❤️The perfect podium lift on the day Kimi Antonelli is crowned Drivers' Champion! 🙌 #F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/NBs6WYdbYH
A Family Legacy and Italian Pride
As BBC Sport notes, He is the son of a garage, really, highlighting his upbringing immersed in the world of racing. The accomplishment is particularly poignant given his family’s involvement in motorsport and Italy’s rich racing history.
Overcoming Illness to Secure Victory
Despite the health concerns, he qualified in fifth position and ultimately delivered a championship-winning performance. He reported feeling fatigued and experiencing a fever and stomach issues, but was able to participate in practice sessions on Friday and Saturday.
KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 F1 WORLD CHAMPION!!! 🏆The youngest to ever do it at 20 years and 68 days old!#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/AtRw2RZsg9
Looking Ahead to Future Races
As he told reporters, We did it! Without Mercedes and my family, this wouldn’t be possible. I’m too excited to speak, still trying to digest everything. With the championship secured, Antonelli now sets his sights on continuing his dominance in the remaining four races of the 2026 season. His success has brought comparisons to some of the sport’s greatest drivers, and observers await how he will build upon this achievement.
Sometimes you are fast but in the wrong place, Marco Antonelli said. That made me suffer, he added. Of course, I was afraid my son [would] follow in my footsteps. Initially, his enthusiasm for racing made me very anxious.
Kimi has been in the garage since he was 15 days old, listening to the engine and smelling the exhaust, Marco Antonelli said. He and his wife Veronica run their racing team business.
Antonelli previously noted that his name Kimi was not directly inspired by Finnish driver Kimi Räikkönen, but rather was chosen because it is easy to pronounce and remember.
Welcome to @F1 immortality, Kimi Antonelli 🏆Congratulations on your first World Championship ⭐️#F1 || #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/o0YLUQXQQN
The victory also marks a milestone for Mercedes-AMG, as Antonelli becomes their fourth world champion driver, following Juan Manuel Fangio, Lewis Hamilton, and Nico Rosberg.
An incredible new chapter in F1's history, written by Kimi Antonelli ✍️🇮🇹Stefano Domenicali, our President and CEO, shares his congratulations! 👏#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/eos7Int8r2
More on Antonelli
Rewriting history 💪We have a new youngest-ever Drivers' Champion. Take a bow, Kimi Antonelli 🏆#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/zeU9lCeKX0
History made. Kimi is the youngest EVER F1 Champion 🤯 pic.twitter.com/c8AAUafHLU