20 Years And 68 Days Old: Mercedes F1 Driver Kimi Antonelli Becomes The Youngest To Win Title

Italian racing driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 World Champion on Sunday, November 1, after sealing the drivers’ title at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He finished third, securing enough points to clinch the championship with four rounds remaining.

“It’s difficult to put into words what I’m feeling right now. I’m still trying to process it all, but to be able to say that I am world champion is just incredible,” said Kimi, who drives for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team, following his success.

At just 20 years and 68 days old, Kimi made history despite finishing third behind Lewis Hamilton and race winner Max Verstappen at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He surpassed Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 134 days old when he won his first world championship in 2010.

“Finishing on the podium made it even more special and sharing it with Max (Verstappen) and Lewis (Hamilton) was really cool. We still have races to go and we want to finish the season strongly by clinching the Constructors’ Championship, but tonight we’re definitely going to enjoy this moment together as a team.”

Additionally, he became only the third Italian driver to win the Formula 1 World Championship, following in the footsteps of Alberto Ascari and Giuseppe Farina. He is also the first graduate of Mercedes’ junior programme to win the world championship.

“What Kimi has achieved today is extraordinary. To become Formula 1 World Champion at 20 years old, and to do it in only his second season, is a remarkable achievement. But what makes me most proud is not the record or the statistics, it is the journey he has been on to get here,” added Toto Wolff, Team Principal and CEO of Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team.

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