# Antonelli, 20, is F1 champion: how Mercedes' gamble paid off

- By: Extra Time Post Newsroom
- 2026-11-02T11:36:00.000Z

## Excerpt

Third in Mexico City with four races left, the Mercedes driver takes Vettel's record as the youngest champion ever and ends Italy's 73-year wait. Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1 world champion on 1 November 2026 by finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, aged 20 years and 68 days, according to Sky Sports. He needed only ninth place or better, according to ESPN, and left Mexico on 380 points, 119 clear of Max Verstappen with four rounds to run, according to GrandPrix.com. He beats Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record (23 years, 134 days) and is the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, the 36th different champion in F1 history, according to ESPN.

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https://extratimepost.com/en/2026/11/02/antonelli-youngest-f1-champion-mercedes/

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