Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been crowned the youngest-ever Formula 1 World Champion, securing the title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The result completes a historic podium, with Max Verstappen taking victory and Lewis Hamilton finishing second, while Antonelli claimed the championship at just 20 years and 68 days old.
Antonelli’s season was defined by speed and consistency, highlighted by nine wins and 16 podiums that propelled him to 380 points with four races remaining.
Max Verstappen crossed the line in 2:20:28.772, edging Lewis Hamilton by 0.799 seconds. The Red Bull driver has won three of the past four Grand Prix events.
“It’s a day I will remember forever,” Antonelli said. “Thank you to my team, my family and everyone who supports me. It’s starting to feel real now, I’m going to enjoy every bit of it.”
“We had such a strong car, and we were so consistent. I knew we had a chance. Just so glad we could finish it off,” Antonelli added.
Verstappen reflected on the race: “I had a very good first lap. We had a good strategy. I do think we lacked a little bit of pace but we hung in there.”
“It was tough. I was sweating at the end to keep Lewis behind,” the Red Bull star admitted.
Verstappen also praised the new champion: “It is incredible, what a season Antonelli has had, and to do this at such an age … I’m sure this is a very emotional day for him, and I am very proud of him.”
Antonelli started the race fourth and needed to finish ninth or better to claim the title, regardless of his competitors’ results. He had a relatively trouble-free run, although the race was interrupted by a red flag on Lap 45 when Valtteri Bottas crashed.
Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc for third place around Lap 48 and held position for the remainder of the event.
“Without them I wouldn’t be here, without Mercedes and my family,” Antonelli said. “It’s a special moment and one that will live forever. I’m speechless, I’m trying to process what just happened.”
“It’s been an incredible season, to share this podium with Max and Lewis is really incredible. I’m looking forward to more battles in the future,” Antonelli added.
Mercedes now sits at 630 points in the constructors’ championship, a healthy 126-point lead over Ferrari.
