From NBC News · Sahil Kapur · · 2m
Kimi Antonelli wins F1 title at 20
20-year-old Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion ever.
In brief
20-year-old Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion ever. Kimi Antonelli, 20, wins F1 championship, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record as youngest champion. Originally reported by NBC News.
Kimi Antonelli wins F1 title
Kimi Antonelli, 20, clinched the Formula 1 world championship Sunday at the Mexican Grand Prix.
“We did it! Thank you so much”
Breaks Vettel's record
Antonelli became the youngest driver in F1 history to win the title, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record set in 2010.
“He was twenty-three when he won the championship in 2010”
Italy's first champion since 1953
Antonelli became Italy's first F1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
“Italy's first F1 world champion since 1953”
Secures title with 15 points
He finished third with 15 points, enough to vanquish his remaining rivals from mathematical contention.
“He finished third and scored 15 points”
Outperforms Russell
Antonelli won nine of 19 races, outperforming his Mercedes teammate George Russell.
“He won nine of 19 races so far this season”
Russell's title challenge
George Russell, 28, began the year as the betting favorite to win the 2026 championship.
“George Russell began the year as the betting favorite”
Russell's race penalty
Russell qualified second but finished sixth after a 10-second time penalty for a crash.
“Russell qualified second but finished sixth Sunday after a 10-second time penalty”
Hamilton and Verstappen on podium
Antonelli shared the podium with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, two legends of the sport.
“It was a poetic moment for Antonelli, sharing a podium with Hamilton and Verstappen”
Russell's early lead
Russell won the first race in Australia, solidifying his front-running status with Mercedes.
“Russell seemed to solidify his front-running status with a victory”
Antonelli's rise
Antonelli won the next five races to establish himself as the clear favorite.
“Antonelli won the next five races to establish himself as the clear favorite”
Antonelli's lead grows
Antonelli took the lead of the championship in the third race and never relinquished it.
“Antonelli took the lead of the championship in the third race of the 2026 season”
Key race wins
Antonelli won in Canada and Monaco while Russell failed to score points in either race.
“Antonelli won in Canada and Monaco while Russell failed to score points”
Points gap
Antonelli's lead ballooned to 68 points after the sixth race.
“Antonelli's lead ballooned to 68 points after the sixth race”
Russell's adjustment
Russell said adjusting to the new cars feels like a golfer changing his swing.
“Russell said adjusting his approach feels like a golfer changing his swing”
Antonelli's future
Antonelli said he still hasn't reached his full potential and needs to improve race starts and track limits.
“Track limits has been the bigger thing for me”
At a glance
Kimi Antonelli, 20, wins F1 championship, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record as youngest champion.
