Antonelli poised to become F1's youngest champion in Mexico
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver needs a ninth-place finish to secure his maiden world title with four races remaining.
At a glance
- Antonelli needs a ninth-place finish to clinch the title at Mexico City Grand Prix
- At 20 years and 68 days old, he would break Vettel's record for youngest champion
- He would be the first Italian world champion in 73 years
- Antonelli would be the first F1 champion born in the 2000s
Kimi Antonelli requires just a ninth-place finish at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix to become the youngest Formula One world champion in history, according to Gulf News. The 20-year-old Italian driver, starting fourth, could secure his maiden title in only his second F1 campaign, with four races still remaining in the 2026 season.
Should Antonelli win the championship in Mexico, he would break Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest champion and become the first Italian driver to claim the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. He would also be the first world champion born in the 21st century.
Why it matters
Antonelli's potential victory would mark several historic milestones in Formula One, including the youngest championship win and the first Italian title in nearly three-quarters of a century.
Original reporting
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