Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history, clinching his first world championship at 20 years and 68 days old after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The Italian finished behind Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to become the youngest world champion in the sport’s history, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s previous record by three years and 66 days.
Antonelli’s composed drive came amid a chaotic race interrupted by a red flag, which set up a 25-lap sprint to the finish. The Mercedes driver remained calm as the battle for the lead intensified around him.
He watched the closing laps as Hamilton attempted to overtake Verstappen following contact between the pair at the first chicane after the restart. However, the Ferrari driver could not get close enough to make a decisive move.
Tensions at Ferrari also threatened to boil over, with Hamilton frustrated after feeling a victory had slipped away following aggressive first-lap racing from team-mate Charles Leclerc.
But the day belonged to Antonelli, who became the first Italian to win the Formula 1 world title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The new champion was overcome with emotion during his slowing-down lap, struggling to speak as his team confirmed the historic achievement over the radio.
After composing himself, Antonelli said: “Thank you so much. We did it. We did it.”
