Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula One drivers’ championship by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November. Both VnExpress and Sài Gòn Giải Phóng reported that the Mercedes driver, aged 20 years and 68 days, became the youngest champion and the first Italian winner since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Third place meets the larger objective
Antonelli’s existing points advantage meant victory in Mexico was unnecessary to settle the title. He finished behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, adding 15 points for third. The achievement concerns the drivers’ championship, a separate competition from the constructors’ standings.
Verstappen held off Hamilton by 0.799 seconds, with SGGP recording Antonelli 4.006 seconds behind the winner. The race included safety-car periods and a red flag after Valtteri Bottas crashed, requiring repairs to the barrier area.
Antonelli moved ahead of Charles Leclerc after the Ferrari driver locked a wheel and kept third place to the finish. It was sufficient for his championship objective despite the interruptions.
A new age mark and an Italian milestone
Sebastian Vettel had set the previous age mark when he won in 2010 at 23 years and 134 days. Antonelli’s result also ended Italy’s wait for a drivers’ champion since Ascari’s 1953 success.
The reports describe Antonelli becoming emotional on the radio and thanking Mercedes and his family. Both explicitly identify the championship as secured, rather than merely a stronger points lead.
The remaining season still brings racing duties for Antonelli and Mercedes. At Ferrari, Hamilton said internal discussions were needed after on-track competition with Leclerc; that is a next step described in the coverage, rather than an announced personnel change or fresh sanction.