Kimi Antonelli becomes F1's youngest world champion at 20 in Mexico City
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli, 20, finished third in the Mexican Grand Prix to clinch the Formula One title with four races remaining.
Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest driver ever to win the Formula One world championship at age 20 in only his second season. The Mercedes driver secured the crown with a third-place finish in the Mexican Grand Prix while Max Verstappen won the race.
Antonelli is also the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Antonelli had a dominant campaign, leading from the front for almost the entire season, with nine race wins and points scored every time except twice due to mechanical failures.
Sebastian Vettel was the previous youngest champion, winning at 23 years old in 2010. Antonelli clinched the title at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez with four races still on the calendar.
- 20 years old
- Antonelli's age
- Sebastian Vettel at 23 in 2010
- Previous youngest champion
- 9 wins
- Race wins this season
- Alberto Ascari in 1953
- Last Italian champion
Why it mattersAntonelli's success marks a changing of the guard in Formula One, ending Mercedes' dominance in the drivers' championship since Lewis Hamilton's 2020 win.
AustraliaThe F1 season reaches its climax this month, with interest peaking in Australia and the broader region as the sport's youngest champion prepares for next year.
Corroborated byespn.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
