Andrea Kimi Antonelli was crowned Formula 1 world champion on Sunday, November 1, after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix. At 20, the Italian became the youngest driver to win the title in the history of the premier motorsport category.
With four races still remaining in the season, Antonelli had already built an unassailable advantage over his rivals. Mercedes teammate George Russell finished sixth in Mexico, while Lewis Hamilton took second behind race winner Max Verstappen.
Born in Bologna, Antonelli ended Italy’s long wait for a Formula 1 champion. The country had not celebrated a driver’s title since Alberto Ascari won in 1952 and 1953. Antonelli also surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest world champion, set when the German won the 2010 title at the age of 23.
Antonelli’s success represents a major achievement for Mercedes, whose driver development programme helped guide him to the top of Formula 1. His rapid rise has drawn strong praise in the paddock, including from 2016 world champion Nico Rosberg, who described him as a phenomenon and compared his level with that of Michael Schumacher.
Sources: Le Monde Sport.