Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest-ever Formula One world champion, breaks Sebastian Vettel’s record

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New Delhi: Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has written Formula One history, becoming the youngest-ever F1 drivers’ world champion at 20 years of age. This record came while the champion came third in the Mexico City Grand Prix yesterday.

The podium result was sufficient for Antonelli to wrap up the title, which remains a 23-years and 133 days record Sebastian Vettel set with his maiden championship win in 2010.

There were numerous dramatic incidents during the race, with a red flag after Valtteri Bottas’ crash, and a late Safety Car. Antonelli kept his cool to record his historic victory. This is his second Formula One season.

Antonelli claimed the advantage after the Japanese Grand Prix and proceeded to record nine race wins prior to the season-ending finale in Mexico City. He scored 15 podium finishes during the campaign and was one of the most dominant drivers on the grid.

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His achievement is a huge boost for Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff who was believed to have supported the teenager to replace the seven-time world champion Hamilton ahead of 2025.

Kimi Antonelli was born in Bologna, Italy on 25 August 2006,. He made his karting debut aged just seven and joined the Mercedes junior programme in 2019.

His victory also marks the end of a 73-year drought for Italy in F1 drivers’ world champions Alberto Ascari. He was the last Italian to win a title in 1953. Antonelli took the chequered flag at just 20 years of age, adding his name to the list of young stars with fabled careers in the sport.

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