Kimi Antonelli wrapped the 2026 title in Mexico City, becoming the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Seventy-three years. The 20-year-old pulled it off in only his second season, joining Fangio, Villeneuve, and Hamilton as the only drivers to claim the crown that early.
Antonelli's rise has been explosive—Mercedes plucked him straight from F2 to replace Hamilton, and he's delivered on every ounce of the hype. The clinch in Mexico was methodical rather than dramatic, but the result stands: Italy finally has a champion again, and F1 has the youngest titleholder since Verstappen's breakthrough. Antonelli's calm under pressure, particularly through the mid-season grind, separated him from a loaded field.
The bigger storyline: F1's next generation is here. Antonelli slots in alongside Piastri and Bearman as the sport's new anchor points, and if this season is the baseline, the next five years could belong to them. Italy hasn't stopped celebrating.
Read the full story at formula1.com
