International media have paid tribute to Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver mathematically secured his first Formula 1 world championship in Mexico City. Reports combined congratulations and surprise while also emphasizing Mercedes’ superiority throughout the season.
Although Antonelli benefited from a highly competitive car, foreign coverage stressed that the Bolognese driver consistently maximized its potential with the composure of a veteran. At 20, he is being celebrated as the youngest world champion in the history of single-seater racing.
French newspaper L’Equipe presented his arrival as “an incredible new era,” describing Antonelli as an eternal “Peter Pan” who already possesses a champion’s reflexes. Le Figaro called the achievement the coronation of a prodigy whose success came exceptionally early.
Spanish newspapers also focused on the historical nature of the victory. Marca described Antonelli as the child who used to fall asleep at racetracks before fulfilling his motorsport dream, while Mundo Deportivo referred to him as the youngest king. Sport summarized the achievement by calling him the youngest champion in history, and Marca also celebrated him with the Italian phrase “Bravissimo Kimi.”
In the United Kingdom, the BBC described Antonelli’s title as an extraordinary breath of fresh air for Formula 1. Sky Sports highlighted his age and reported that he had lowered Sebastian Vettel’s previous record by more than three years.
The international coverage has also underlined the importance of Antonelli’s championship for Italian motorsport. His 2026 title ends a 73-year wait for an Italian drivers’ champion, dating back to Alberto Ascari’s success in 1953.
Sources: ANSA Sport.