Antonelli makes F1 history with 2026 title

Kimi Antonelli became F1’s youngest world champion, with reports tracing the Mercedes driver’s rise from junior racing to the 2026 crown.

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest world champion, as reported by BBC Sport and Autosport. Autosport reported that the Mercedes driver clinched the title at the Mexico Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won and Lewis Hamilton finished second. Antonelli has raced for Mercedes in 2025 and 2026, and he sat first in the 2026 standings on 390 points; across 33 starts he has recorded five wins, five poles and 10 podiums.

BBC Sport revisited Antonelli’s path from Bologna to the championship, while Formula1.com reported PREMA Racing boss Rene Rosin saying the Italian showed speed early in his junior career. BBC Sport also reported that Antonelli is already treating the final races of the season as the start of his 2027 campaign to retain the title.