Kimi Antonelli became Italy’s first F1 champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953|@MercedesAMGF1|X
The Mercedes driver etched his name in Formula One history on Sunday, becoming the youngest world champion in the sport’s history at just 20 years and 68 days old.
Kimi Antonelli secured the title after finishing third in a dramatic Mexico City Grand Prix, which Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won.
The Italian ended a 73-year wait for an F1 world champion, becoming the country’s first title winner since Alberto Ascari in 1953. He has also extended his championship lead to an insurmountable 119 points.
A dramatic race in Mexico City
Verstappen added another milestone to his career with his 74th Grand Prix victory, beating Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by just 0.799 seconds. Hamilton started from pole, but a collision with teammate Charles Leclerc, who finished fourth, complicated his race.
Drama unfolded throughout the race, with multiple crashes, two safety cars and a lengthy 33-minute red flag triggered by Valtteri Bottas’ high-speed crash. The restart set up an intense battle in the closing stages.
A new chapter in F1 history
In another historic milestone, Antonelli dethroned Sebastian Vettel as Formula 1’s youngest world champion. Vettel had set the benchmark in 2010, securing his maiden championship at 23 years and 134 days.
Meanwhile, Verstappen moved into second place in the championship standings, while Mercedes strengthened its lead in the constructors’ championship.
Formula 1 will now travel to Brazil, followed by Las Vegas, as Antonelli celebrates his historic championship.