Kimi Antonelli says he “couldn’t see” through tears at the final lap of the Mexico City Grand Prix as he was overcome with emotion before becoming Formula One world champion for the first time.
Antonelli finished third behind race winner Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to break Sebastian Vettel’s record of being the youngest F1 world champion by over three years, sealing the title at the age of 20 years and 68 days.
The Italian was overcome with emotion on team radio and in several post-race interviews and revealed he was already crying during the closing stages of the race.
“Already the previous lap, I think I lost maybe two seconds because I was already crying, basically. I couldn’t see clearly ahead,” said Antonelli.
“I could see the two Ferraris kind of tearfully. So it was very special. A lot of memories went through my mind at that moment, all the memories from karting to here.
“It was a very special final lap and obviously, when I crossed the line, I left it all because I was just achieving one of my biggest dreams. It was very special.”
Antonelli is only the third Italian driver to win the F1 drivers’ championship and the first since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The Mercedes driver was upstaged by Verstappen and Hamilton on the podium with iconic Italian songs ‘Nessun Dorma’ and ‘Sarà, perché ti amo’ playing in the background, which Antonelli later revealed made him think of his late grandfather.
“The first song was very emotional for me because it was a song that my grandfather always listened to, so it was very special to hear it. I think he would be very proud,” said Antonelli as he took a moment to compose himself through tears at the post-race press conference.
“Oh my God, I cried a lot today, but it’s okay. I just got so emotional because of my grandpa.”
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Kimi Antonelli was in good spirits after becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion.
Antonelli: I will put a photo on the podium with Verstappen-Hamilton in my house
It was somewhat fitting that Antonelli followed home two of F1’s greatest drivers in Verstappen and Hamilton to become world champions.
Antonelli replaced Hamilton at Mercedes following the latter’s shock move to Ferrari in 2025 and the 20-year-old says it was an “unbelievable” moment to share the podium with the two multiple world champions.
“It also happened in Canada this year, earlier in the year, but that’s definitely special. I’m definitely going to frame the picture and put it in my house because it’s just an incredible moment,” he said.
“To see so much respect from two incredible drivers who have made the history of the sport is really special, and a moment that will live on and be remembered forever. So I’m definitely going to frame the photo and put it on the wall in my house so I can see it very clearly every time I come in.”
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Former world champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton shoulder F1’s newest champion, Kimi Antonelli, in Mexico.
Antonelli has been part of Mercedes since he was 12 years old and his father, Marco Antonelli, has been by his side at almost every race since he made his F1 debut in early 2025.
Marco has a racing team, but flew to Mexico on Saturday morning with Kim’s sister to make sure they could watch Kim become champion.
“It was a huge effort for them to come here, and I’m so happy to be able to share and witness this moment completely because my family has made, and they still make, an incredible amount of sacrifices for me,” Antonelli said.
“Especially my dad, he’s come to basically all the races this year, despite being very busy with his job, his job. So, you know, it’s been crucial, having that figure.
“He was the one who kept me grounded, especially after very high moments, but he was also the one who was always there when I faced a difficult situation, or I wasn’t feeling the best before a session or before the race.
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Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff was ecstatic after Kimi Antonelli became the youngest ever champion in Formula 1 history.
“Then, of course, Mercedes, I couldn’t thank them enough because, first of all, they were the ones who took the gamble when I was 11, and they were the ones who believed in me all the way, and they still do.
“It’s been a great privilege to be able, first of all, to race for this team. Hopefully we’ll have a lot more success in the coming years.
“But also, it’s been a great privilege to work with Bono (Antonelli’s race engineer Peter Bonnington) and all the other guys, all the other guys and girls who always come to the track and do their best, because it’s an incredible group, a very unique group and a very united one. And each one of them has played a big part in that.”
Formula 1 heads to Brazil for the final leg of the treble with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix this weekend, live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – no contract, cancel anytime