Andrea Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history. At just 20 years and 68 days old, he became the youngest driver ever to win the World Drivers’ Championship. The Italian is in his second season with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team.Â
Path to Formula 1
Antonelli began racing in karting, where he won several junior titles. He continued to stand out in single-seater racing, winning Formula 4 championships in 2022 and Formula Regional titles in 2023. Mercedes signed him to its junior program in 2019. By the time he joined the F1 team in 2025, he had already established himself as a promising young driver.Â
Signing with Mercedes
When Lewis Hamilton announced in February 2024 that he would leave Mercedes to join Ferrari after 12 seasons with the team, attention quickly turned to who would replace him. Mercedes chose Antonelli, then 18, for the 2025 season. He joined George Russell, who had been racing for the team since 2022.Â
Rookie Season
Antonelli’s first season in Formula 1 brought both strong results and challenges. He earned his first podium at the Canadian Grand Prix, then faced a more difficult stretch as he adjusted to the demands of the sport. He finished the season with further podiums in Brazil and Las Vegas, gaining valuable experience ahead of his second year with Mercedes.Â
Maiden F1 Victory
Antonelli earned his first Formula 1 victory at the Chinese Grand Prix on March 15, 2026. After securing his first career pole position, he went on to win at the Shanghai International Circuit, finishing 5.515 seconds ahead of Russell.Â
A Breakthrough Season
The win in China began a run of five consecutive victories. Antonelli also won in Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco, becoming the youngest driver ever to lead the championship. His streak ended in Barcelona, where a power-unit issue forced him to retire while running second. At Silverstone, a failure involving the front-left wheel shield affected his car’s handling and cost him points.Â
Antonelli responded with more wins, including a memorable victory at his home race in Monza. After starting 19th because of an engine penalty, he worked his way through the field and passed Russell late in the race. He became the first Italian driver to win the Italian Grand Prix at Monza since 1966. By the time he arrived in Mexico City, Antonelli had nine wins and was close to securing the title.Â
The Defining Race
Antonelli clinched the championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He needed only to finish ninth or higher to secure the title, regardless of his rivals’ results. He started fourth and finished third in a race interrupted by a red flag and a late safety car. Max Verstappen won the race, but Antonelli’s podium was enough to secure the championship with four races remaining.Â
What Comes Next for F1’s Youngest Champion?
Antonelli’s first championship marks a major milestone in a career that began in karting and quickly advanced through the ranks of Formula 1. With four races still remaining in the 2026 season, he has more opportunities to build on his title-winning year. Next season, he will return to the grid as the sport’s youngest reigning champion.