Kimi Antonelli clinched the Formula 1 world championship Sunday, becoming the youngest driver in the sport’s history to win the title at just 20.
\n\nThe Italian prodigy secured the title at the Mexican Grand Prix with four races remaining on the 2026 calendar, capping a sensational season in just his second year in F1.
\n\nHe finished third and scored 15 points, enough to vanquish his remaining rivals from mathematical contention for the most coveted trophy in motor racing.
\n\nAntonelli broke the record set by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 when he won the championship in a title-deciding thriller in 2010. Antonelli also became Italy’s first F1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, vaulting him to superstardom at home.
\n\nAntonelli has won nine out of 19 races so far this season, consistently outperforming his veteran Mercedes teammate and chief rival, George Russell, who began the year as the betting favorite to win the 2026 championship.
\n\nRed Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton started on pole position and finished second. Russell qualified second but finished sixth on Sunday after a 10-second time penalty for a crash ruined his race. Russell and Hamilton both needed to win — and…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/sports