Antonelli wins F1 title at 20, breaking decades-old age record

Kimi Antonelli is the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the title on Sunday, finishing the season with four races still to go. He became the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Antonelli took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton following the Mexico City Grand Prix. He finished third in that specific race.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull won the Mexico City event for the sixth time. The race was interrupted on lap 46 when Valtteri Bottas crashed into the wall at the first corner. The incident followed issues with the right-side suspension on his car. Cadillac reported that Bottas received further medical assessments as a precaution. He exited the vehicle unaided and waved to the spectators before leaving the track.

Verstappen held the lead when the race restarted, followed by Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Norris, and Russell. The Red Bull driver maintained his position to secure the victory. Antonelli had previously been the youngest champion in the sport, a record he broke by 3 years. Sebastian Vettel held the previous mark, winning the title at age 23 in 2010.

Antonelli expressed relief and gratitude immediately after locking down the championship. “Thank you so much, we did it, we did it, thank you so much .. thank you,” he said on team radio. The Formula 1 calendar moves to Brazil next, followed by a stop in Las Vegas. Organizers remain undecided on whether the final two Grand Prix in Qatar and Abu Dhabi will proceed due to regional instability.