Vettel would 'rejoice' if Antonelli breaks his youngest champion record

Kimi Antonelli is closing in on one of Sebastian Vettel's most prestigious Formula 1 records — and the four-time world champion wouldn't have it any other way. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver took his eighth win of the season in Madrid and now leads teammate George Russell by 81 points, putting him firmly on course to become the youngest world champion in history.

Why it matters:

Vettel has held the record since 2010, when he claimed his first title at 23 years, four months and 11 days, taking over from Lewis Hamilton. If Antonelli seals the championship, he would not only rewrite the record books but also signal a generational shift in F1 — with Mercedes' young star ending a 16-year reign by one of the sport's modern greats.

The details:

• Vettel said he would "be very happy for him" and praised Antonelli's season as "incredible."
• "There's this old saying that records are there to be broken," Vettel explained.
• The German still follows the title fight as a fan, admitting he would like the challengers to get closer for more drama — but he insists "whoever wins at the end will have deserved it."
• The pair share a close personal bond. Vettel regularly sends Antonelli messages before and after race weekends.
• Antonelli: "Seb is incredible. He's a friend of mine and sends me messages after every race weekend, sometimes even before. It's great to get so much support and appreciation from him."
• The Italian says Vettel's words have a real impact: "They definitely make a small difference when you go into a weekend, or after it."

What's next:

With an 81-point lead and only a handful of races remaining, Antonelli could wrap up the title early. Vettel, meanwhile, seems content to pass the torch — provided the new record holder is a worthy champion. For Antonelli, the admiration is mutual, making this potential passing of the guard one of the most feel-good storylines of the season.