By Prof Dr Ian Blackshaw
Kimi Antonelli, from Bologna, Italy, who drives for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team, has become the 2026 Formula 1 Champion with his third place win in the Mexican Grand Prix, which was held on 1 November 2026.
The race was won by Max Verstappen, who drives for Red Bull, with Lewis Hamilton, who drives for Scuderia Ferrari, in second place.
Verstappen and Hamilton hoisted the young Italian onto their shoulders on the podium during the post-race celebrations.
Antonelli, at 20 years old, has become the youngest F1 Champion, overturning Sebastian Vettel's long-standing record, which he set, at 23 years old, in 2010.
He also becomes the first Italian Formula 1 World Champion since Alberto Ascari won the title in 1953.
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