Italian racing driver Kimi Antonelli has made history by becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion at the age of 20.
The Mercedes driver secured his maiden Drivers’ Championship after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with four races remaining in the season.
At 20 years and 68 days old, Antonelli broke the record held by former Red Bull driver Sebastian Vettel, who became the youngest F1 champion at 23 years and 134 days in 2010.
He entered the race needing only a ninth-place finish to guarantee the title, regardless of the performance of his closest rivals, Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Hamilton, while Antonelli completed the podium in third to seal the championship.
His victory also ended Italy’s 73-year wait for an F1 world champion, making him the first Italian to take the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Antonelli, who is in his second season in Formula 1, celebrated the historic achievement alongside his family and the Mercedes team.
“We did it. Without them, I wouldn’t be here. Without Mercedes, without my family,” he said after the race.
Verstappen was among the first to congratulate the new champion, saying: “It’s amazing to see the whole team celebrating with him. His family is here as well, so I’m sure this is a very emotional day for him, and I’m very proud of him.”
