Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion at 20, Norris praises 'outstanding' season

Andrea Kimi Antonelli clinched his first Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. At 20 years and 68 days old, the Mercedes driver becomes the youngest champion in F1 history, breaking Sebastian Vettel's record. With four races to spare, Antonelli holds a commanding 119-point lead over Verstappen.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's meteoric rise signals a seismic shift in F1's competitive order. In just his second season, he has dominated the field, winning nine races and consistently outperforming experienced teammate George Russell. His title triumph at such a young age not only rewrites the record books but also sets a new benchmark for future generations, potentially redefining the sport's hierarchy for years to come.

The details:

• Lando Norris, the defending champion, finished fifth in Mexico and was quick to praise Antonelli: "He deserves it. It's been insane this year. That's an understatement."
• Norris, who has struggled with only two wins this season, added: "He's had an outstanding season. I'm very, very happy for him. He's a lovely, lovely guy. I hope he goes out and celebrates it properly."
• The Briton also noted Antonelli's superiority over Russell: "I rate George and I think he's a very good driver. But Kimi has been two levels above George the whole season."
• Antonelli's statistics are staggering: nine wins, 380 points, and a 119-point margin over Verstappen. Russell, the preseason favorite, sits fourth.
• Norris even joked about handing over his champion status: "I'm more than happy to pass the No 1 over to him."

What's next:

With four races remaining, Antonelli can now race free of championship pressure, potentially adding to his win tally. For Norris and the rest of the grid, the focus shifts to closing the gap to the new champion and preparing for 2027.