Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion at age 20

Summarised from 7 outlets · 15 reports · Updated 2 Nov, 00:14 · Archive

Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 world championship by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion in the sport's history at 20 years and 68 days old.

Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 drivers' championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday by finishing third, becoming the youngest world champion in the sport's 77-year history at 20 years and 68 days old. He surpassed Sebastian Vettel's previous record by three years and 67 days. Antonelli secured the title with four races still remaining in the season, having only needed to finish ninth or better to clinch the crown.

Max Verstappen won the chaotic race at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second. The grand prix was interrupted by a red flag that required barrier repairs, leading to a 25-lap sprint to the finish. Tensions between Hamilton and his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc flared on the opening lap when both drivers went off track as they battled for position, with Leclerc taking the lead before Verstappen capitalised to overtake Hamilton.

Antonelli drove a composed race throughout the action, avoiding trouble to secure his maiden world title in only his second season. Upon crossing the finish line, he was overcome with emotion. His Mercedes engineer Peter Bonnington told him over the radio: 'Get in there, Kimi. Champion of the world.' Team Principal Toto Wolff added: 'Kimi, we did it! World champion!'

Antonelli replied through tears: 'We did it! Thank you so much.' After the race, he said: 'I'm speechless. I'm trying to process what has just happened. I wouldn't be here without Mercedes, without my family, so I'm very grateful for this moment and it's one that will live forever.'

The 20-year-old Italian set multiple records during his championship-winning season. He won nine races for Mercedes and failed to score points only twice, both occasions due to mechanical failures. In his second season, he became the youngest driver to achieve a pole position, the youngest to lead the championship, and the youngest to complete a 'grand slam' at Monaco with pole position, fastest lap, leading every lap and winning the race.

Antonelli's title makes him the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 and marks Mercedes' first drivers' championship since Lewis Hamilton won in 2020. It is the team's tenth drivers' championship overall. He also became the first F1 driver born in the 21st century to become world champion.

Feeding drivers praised Antonelli's achievement. Lando Norris, the defending champion, said: 'He's done an insane job. I feel like people are not giving him enough credit for what he's achieved this year. He's beaten the teammate that's been in the sport four times longer than him. He's made it look like an easy year but that's because he slapped his competition.' Verstappen and Hamilton lifted Antonelli on to their shoulders on the podium to celebrate.

How it is being reported

• The F1 records Antonelli broke to become world championOn his way to becoming the youngest-ever world champion, Kimi Antonelli sets numerous benchmarks that are likely to stand for some time.ABC News Australia · 2 Nov, 00:02
• ‘He’s done an insane job’: Antonelli’s rivals unite in praise for F1’s youngest championLando Norris: ‘People are not giving him enough credit’ 20-year-old sealed F1 title after finishing third in Mexico Formula One’s leading drivers have been unstinting in their praise for the new champion, Kimi Antonelli, after the Italian driver took his debut title with third place at the Mexican Grand Prix. Antonelli became the youngest world champion at 20 years old in Mexico, sharing a podium with race winner Max Verstappen and second-placed Lewis Hamilton. He has taken the title in only his second year in the sport after a remarkable season including nine wins. Continue reading...The Guardian · 1 Nov, 23:28
• Antonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history as Verstappen wins Mexico City GPAntonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history as Verstappen wins Mexico City GPThe Telegraph · 1 Nov, 23:21
• 'This is just the beginning' - Antonelli looking to emulate greats with more world titlesKimi Antonelli was in buoyant mood after becoming the youngest ever Formula One world champion.Sky Sports · 1 Nov, 23:04
• How Antonelli has rewritten Formula 1's record booksFormula 1 has its 36th world champion after Kimi Antonelli clinched his maiden title by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.Sky Sports · 1 Nov, 22:50
• Kimi Antonelli claims the Formula One crown – his season in picturesThe 20-year-old Italian becomes the youngest F1 champion. From Shanghai to Mexico City, we look at his record-breaking season Continue reading...Guardian Sport · 1 Nov, 22:43
• Antonelli becomes world champion as Verstappen wins in MexicoKimi Antonelli becomes the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history as Max Verstappen wins the Mexico City Grand Prix.BBC News · 1 Nov, 22:40
• Antonelli crowned world champion as Verstappen wins wild Mexico City GPKimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history as Max Verstappen held off Lewis Hamilton to win a thrilling Mexico City Grand Prix.Sky Sports · 1 Nov, 22:36
• Antonelli heads list of F1's youngest championsAs Kimi Antonelli becomes F1's youngest world champion, we look at how his achievement compares with some of the drivers who previously held the record.BBC Sport · 1 Nov, 22:28
• Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history! Third-place finish at Mexico Grand Prix secures title triumph for 20-year-old superstar in race won by Max VerstappenKimi Antonelli has become Formula One's youngest champion in history after finishing third at the Mexico GP to seal the deal.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Nov, 22:27
• Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion with third place in Mexican GP20-year-old clinches title with four races to go Verstappen wins race ahead of Hamilton Kimi Antonelli closed out with the cool command of the greats to win the Formula One world championship by taking third place in the Mexican Grand Prix, a race won after no little drama by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, from the Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton who was left fuming with his teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth. In taking his debut F1 title for Mercedes, the 20-year-old Antonelli has etched his name into the record books as the youngest driver to claim the sport’s crown and the first Italian…Guardian Sport · 1 Nov, 22:27
• History made! Antonelli crowned youngest F1 world championKimi Antonelli became the youngest ever Formula One world champion after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.Sky Sports · 1 Nov, 22:27
• Kimi Antonelli clinches title at chaotic Mexico City GP to make F1 historyKimi Antonelli, 20, has become the youngest F1 world champion after the Mercedes driver finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix to clinch the titleMirror Sport · 1 Nov, 22:26
• How much do you know about F1 champion Antonelli?Kimi Antonelli has been crowned Formula 1 world champion - how well do you know the Mercedes driver?BBC Sport · 1 Nov, 22:25
• Antonelli - the boy 'born in a garage' who became world championKimi Antonelli was a natural driver at the age of three, according to his dad. Here's how he developed to become the F1 champion at the age of 20.BBC News · 1 Nov, 22:25

In this story: Kimi Antonelli · Mercedes · Max Verstappen · Lewis Hamilton · Sebastian Vettel · Mexico City · Ferrari · Italy

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