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Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden Formula 1 world title at the Mexico City Grand Prix, making history as the youngest world champion the sport has ever seen. Following the race, legendary drivers Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen united in praising the 20-year-old’s incredible achievement after sharing the podium with him.
Praise from F1 Titans and Peers
Both Hamilton and Verstappen described the young driver’s success as incredible, an endorsement that carried significant weight given their status as the first and third most successful race-winners in F1 history. Sharing the podium with them was a deeply moving experience for Antonelli.
“I will definitely frame the picture and put it in my house because it’s just an incredible moment,” Antonelli said. “And as well to see so much respect from two incredible drivers who have done the history of the sport is truly special and a moment that will live and will always be remembered.”
Speaking as a commentator for BBC Radio 5 live, 1996 world champion Damon Hill suggested that Antonelli’s trajectory is only heading upward. “There are going to be others,” Hill said. “I don’t see anything else other than him getting better and better. He’s going to have to go through hard times as well, but no-one is going to doubt his incredible talent.”
From a Shaky Debut to Total Domination
Antonelli’s championship victory comes at the conclusion of just his second season in Formula 1. When Mercedes drafted him last year to replace Lewis Hamilton, critics questioned whether he possessed enough experience. His debut season proved turbulent and fell short of generational talent expectations, leaving his team-mate George Russell as the favorite for the championship at the start of this year.
However, a remarkable offseason development shifted the competitive balance. Antonelli finished close behind Russell in the opening race and claimed his maiden victory in the second, initiating a streak of five consecutive wins that gave him command of the championship standings. Even when rival teams neutralized Mercedes’ early performance advantage, Antonelli maintained consistent competitiveness while Russell slipped in the points table.
Max Verstappen commended the champion’s composure throughout the campaign. “At his age,” Verstappen stated, “to be so solid, not make big mistakes, and of course also beat your experienced team-mate, he’s just driven incredible, and I’m very proud of him, how he has handled himself this whole season.”
Outgoing world champion Lando Norris similarly praised his rival’s exceptional form. “He’s certainly not had an easy season in terms of his competition being incredibly high,” Norris said. “He has gone up against the best drivers in the world, all in very good cars, and he’s blown everyone away.”
Formative Hardships and Emotional Triumph
Reflecting on his journey, Antonelli noted that the intense pressure and difficulties of his rookie year proved vital for his maturity. Racing directly for Mercedes under intense public scrutiny accelerated his growth compared to joining a smaller outfit.
The pressure resurfaced during the weekend in Mexico, where Antonelli admitted to feeling tense and tight during qualifying compared to his approach in Austin. That tension dissolved once the race concluded, though the emotional weight of the final lap nearly overwhelmed him.
“I lost probably two seconds because I was already crying basically and I couldn’t see clearly ahead,” Antonelli said. “I could see two Ferraris somehow with the tears.”
After crossing the finish line, he was greeted by his mother Veronica and his father Marco, who provided steady guidance throughout the challenging moments of the season. During the post-race champions’ news conference, Antonelli paused to collect himself after becoming emotional while remembering his late grandfather. “I cried way too much today. But it’s good,” he said.
