Kimi Antonelli Crowned Formula 1 World Champion

Added at: 02.11.26 01:25

another languages: uk ru

Italian also becomes only the third Italian driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship
Photo by CristianoBarni - Depositphotos - Andrea Kimi Antonelli

Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been crowned the 2026 Formula 1 World Champion after securing third place at the Mexican Grand Prix, becoming the youngest world champion in the history of the sport. While Max Verstappen claimed victory for Red Bull, the young Mercedes driver did enough to seal the biggest prize in motorsport.

Lewis Hamilton, racing for Ferrari, finished second after chasing Verstappen during the closing stages but ultimately failing to find a way past the Dutchman. Charles Leclerc, who started from pole position, could manage only fourth. The Monegasque narrowly avoided a collision with his Ferrari team-mate on the opening lap before receiving a five-second penalty, a setback that derailed his race.

The contest took another dramatic turn on lap 46, when an accident involving Valtteri Bottas brought out a red flag. Following the restart, Verstappen kept Hamilton behind him all the way to the chequered flag to secure another race victory.

Antonelli crossed the line in third place, a result that confirmed his championship triumph. At just 20 years old, the Italian has become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, marking a remarkable milestone in his rapid rise through the sport.

Antonelli also becomes only the third Italian driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship, following Giuseppe Farina, who claimed the inaugural title in 1950, and Alberto Ascari, who won back-to-back championships in 1952 and 1953.