Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history, clinching his first world title and becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
At just 20 years and 68 days old, Antonelli secured the championship by finishing the race behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.
The Italian drove a composed race amid a hectic grand prix that was interrupted by a red flag, leading to a dramatic 25-lap sprint to the finish. In the closing laps, Antonelli watched as Hamilton tried to get close enough to pass Verstappen after the two made contact at the first chicane at the restart. However, Hamilton found it impossible to get his Ferrari close enough to attempt a pass, ending the day frustrated and feeling a win had slipped through his fingers.
The race was also marked by tensions at Ferrari that nearly boiled over between the seven-time champion Hamilton and his teammate, Charles Leclerc. Hamilton reportedly felt his chances of victory were hampered by Leclerc’s aggression on the first lap.
However, that was a secondary story on a day Antonelli made history, smashing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record for being the youngest champion by three years and 66 days. In doing so, Antonelli also becomes the first Italian to win the F1 title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
An emotional Antonelli was initially speechless over the team radio on his slowing-down lap, mixing tears with laughter when his team told him he was the world champion.
After half-composing himself, he said: “Thank you so much. We did it. We did it.”
