Rivals salute Antonelli as youngest F1 champion: 'He's made everyone else look silly'

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to seal the title with four races still remaining. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver — just 20 years and 68 days old on the day — is also the first Italian to claim the drivers’ championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

The tributes from his rivals were immediate and unambiguous. Verstappen, who took the race victory, described the achievement as “really, really impressive” given Antonelli’s age. “It’s amazing to see the whole team celebrating with him,” the Red Bull driver said. “His family is here as well. I’m very proud of him.”

Hamilton, who finished second and watched the title celebration from the podium, was equally generous. “Youngest world champion ever — it’s pretty phenomenal,” the Ferrari driver said. “I’m so grateful to be in the race to witness it.”

Charles Leclerc pointed to the emotional scenes beneath the podium as Antonelli’s parents looked on. “To see his parents being so emotional is a beautiful image,” Leclerc said. “He didn’t put a step wrong since the beginning of the year.”

It was Lando Norris, however, who offered the most striking assessment. The McLaren driver, who surrendered the number-one plate he had held, did not hold back in his praise. “He’s blown everyone away,” Norris said. “He’s made everyone else look silly. He’s driven that well and he’s been able to click with his car.”

Norris was particularly struck by the consistency Antonelli had shown throughout only his second season in Formula 1. “Count how many mistakes he’s made this season — I don’t even think you could put it on one hand, honestly,” he said. “He has a very strong team-mate, but he’s beaten him the whole time. He’s come from the back of the grid. He deserves every single bit of success.”

The title, secured with four rounds to spare, underlines a dominant campaign from both Antonelli and Mercedes, who reclaim the constructors’ crown they last held during the turbo-hybrid era’s peak years. For Antonelli, the milestone places him above previous record-holder Sebastian Vettel as the sport’s youngest champion — a record that had stood for over a decade.