Vettel's Advice to Antonelli After Youngest F1 Champion Record

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest world champion at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, taking the record from Sebastian Vettel at 20 years and 68 days. Vettel, who was 23 when he won his first title in 2010, marked the moment with a personal video message that mixed congratulations with hard-earned perspective.

Why it matters:

Antonelli has rewritten a benchmark that stood for more than a decade, but Vettel’s message focuses on what happens after the trophy. Winning a title changes the external noise; the challenge is keeping the internal approach intact.

The details:

• Vettel told Antonelli: “Only very few of us have managed to achieve that, and nobody has done it as young as you.”
• He praised the Mercedes driver’s curiosity, willingness to listen, fast learning and fearlessness, noting Antonelli’s driving was clean and controlled but on the limit when required.
• Vettel recalled his own first title as a rush that made reflection impossible. He did not sleep properly for days, and only later understood that the best part was not the decisive race but the season of races that led to it.
• His advice: “Great achievements might change the way people look at you, but you don’t have to change the way you look at people.”
• The pair have exchanged messages throughout the season, making the post-Mexico video Vettel’s most public gesture of support.

What's next:

Antonelli now moves from chasing a first title to defending one, with the attention and scrutiny that comes with being the reigning champion. Vettel’s final words were simple: enjoy it. “Un abbraccio forte.”