Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest-ever Formula 1 world champion

sportsNov 1, 2026441,178

Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 drivers' title by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen won the race. Antonelli, who turned 20 in August, sealed the championship in only his second F1 season and became the youngest world champion in the sport's history. His father Marco recalls first spotting his talent at age 10 when the boy controlled a Lamborghini on the Adria circuit as Marco braked from 320 km/h, and says Kimi was exposed to engines from infancy. Kimi tried karting at five and quickly showed an awareness of racing lines, braking points and car control. Marco, a former driver who tested for Alfa Romeo and nearly joined BMW in the 1990s, initially feared his son would suffer the same missed-opportunity setbacks that marked his own career and funded part of Kimi's early pathway through karting and Formula 4. The BBC profile traces that upbringing from a garage childhood to a rapid rise that culminated in the Mexico City podium and the title.

Formula 1

@f1tv.bsky.social

KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 F1 WORLD CHAMPION!!! 🏆 The youngest to ever do it at 20 years and 68 days old! #F1 #MexicoGP

5753h ago

Rick7

Perfect company on the podium for him as well

In at the deep end2

Get in there Kimi !!

Quoting this

I like the Shipping Forecast10

Bravo Kimi. He did it without shoving anyone off. Without running into people. Without controversy. What a young driver. What a character. #F1 #MexicanGP

Edu Cesar (Papo de Bola)4

Dá-lhe Andrea Kimi Antonelli! Um novo gênio das pistas!

EmmaKittyKat 🏳️‍⚧️🏳️‍🌈3

Unbelievable. Only a little more than two years since his FP1 crash. One season settling in, the next, world champion. Almost perfectly, defying expectations when we thought his teammate will have the easy win. Congratulations, I have no more words! #F1 #MexicoGP

Basement Girl 🖤🧡 5-22

Ai gente desculpa, no começo do ano eu até poderia fingir que me importo kkkkkkkkk mas agora? Kkkkkkkk um caminhão de bosta

Apexylon2

Ich freue mich sehr für den jungen Italiener! Es wird nicht der letzte Titel sein, da bin ich mir sicher. Congratulations Kimi 🏆

Blaze | Wings of Theve2

The birth of a legend

Sam T2

I mean he absolutely deserves it. It’s been a hell of a season. #F1

Edison Santiago2

O recorde anterior era do Vettel com 23 anos e 134 dias e na época já parecia algo completamente absurdo. Antonelli quebrou o recorde por TRÊS ANOS E DOIS MESES!

JM =^D

@jm539581.bsky.social

Andrea Kimi Antonelli beecomes the youngest Formula One champion in history.

823h ago

CJ Fogler

@cjzero.bsky.social

Kimi Antonelli wins the F1 World Championship with his 3rd place finish

823h ago

Chris Medland

@chrismedlandf1.bsky.social

Max Verstappen holds off Lewis Hamilton to win the Mexico City Grand Prix AND KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION! #F1 #MexicoGP

843h ago

Chris Medland16

P4 for Leclerc ahead of Norris, Russell, Piastri, Colapinto, Lawson and Gasly #F1 #MexicoGP

Rob

@robm.bsky.social

Congratulations Kimi Antonelli. #F1 World Champion!! Verstappen wins from Hamilton, but that doesn't tell the full story. Lewis was robbed of victory by his own team-mate. Leclerc is, quite frankly, a disgrace. The antithesis of a team player. Vasseur needs to grow a backbone and deal with him.

443h ago

Dre Harrison

@dreharrison.bsky.social

A special, special talent. Kimi Antonelli, the youngest World Champion in #F1 history. Congratulations young man, you were brilliant.

353h ago

Formula One History

@f1history1950.bsky.social

KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION!!!! 🏆 The youngest-ever Drivers' Champion in F1 history and Italy's first Drivers’ Champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. #F1 #Formula1

323h ago

Luis Paez-Pumar

@lpp.bsky.social

Kimi Antonelli’s world championship radio was just him sobbing lol. Adorable child.

263h ago

TSN

@tsnofficial.bsky.social

THE YOUNGEST TO EVER DO IT 🏆 Kimi Antonelli cried tears of joy after being crowned the youngest World Champion in #F1 history! 🥹🏁 #MexicoCityGP

203h ago

Chris Geidner

@chrisgeidner.bsky.social

Back to work for me, but, one last congrats to Kimi and Mercedes. Love it.

Kimi talking with the stadium crowd behind him.

TEXT:

2026 FIA FORMULA 1
WORLD CHAMPION
Kimi Antonelli

252h ago

Rick Whodied

@durrellb.bsky.social

This is a special title for Kimi Antonelli. Absolutely took apart George Russell. Made a very good driver look like he'd paid for his seat.

133h ago

Le Monde

@lemonde.fr

Kimi Antonelli, sacré champion du monde de F1 à 20 ans, le pari gagnant de Mercedes

143h ago

Ro de Jong 🧒

@rodejong.bsky.social

CAMPIONE. 🇮🇹🏆 Lifted onto the shoulders of Verstappen and Hamilton on the Mexico City podium: Kimi Antonelli, 2026 World Champion at 20. The youngest champion in F1 history, and Italy's first since Ascari in 1953. #formula1 #F1 #MexicoGP