News Summary
- Andrea Kimi Antonelli became Italy’s first Formula 1 world champion in 73 years, securing the 2026 title at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
- The Mercedes driver joins Giuseppe Farina and Alberto Ascari as the only Italian Drivers’ World Champions in Formula 1 history.
- Antonelli secured the championship at just 20 years old, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history in only his second F1 season.
Italy’s 73-year wait for another Formula 1 world champion finally ended on Sunday (November 1), when Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Drivers’ Championship by finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Mercedes driver became only the third Italian to win the title, following Giuseppe Farina in 1950 and Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953.
Antonelli’s achievement marks a historic moment for a country with a deep connection to Formula 1 through Ferrari, Monza and generations of drivers, but which had not celebrated a Drivers’ World Championship since Ascari’s second title.
From Farina and Ascari to Antonelli: Italy’s three F1 champions
Italy played a central role in the early history of the Formula 1 World Championship.
Giuseppe Farina won the inaugural title in 1950, driving for Alfa Romeo and defeating teammate Juan Manuel Fangio.
Two years later, Alberto Ascari secured the 1952 championship with Ferrari before successfully defending his crown in 1953.
Ascari remains Italy’s only multiple Formula 1 world champion, with two titles.
Despite the country’s continued importance to the sport, no Italian driver managed to repeat their achievements over the following seven decades.
That changed in Mexico, where Antonelli finished third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton to establish an unassailable championship advantage.
Italian Formula 1 world champions
| Driver | Championship year(s) | Constructor | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| G. FARINA | 1950 | Alfa Romeo | 1 |
| A. ASCARI | 1952, 1953 | Ferrari | 2 |
| A. K. ANTONELLI | 2026 | Mercedes | 1 |
Antonelli is the first Italian champion of the 21st century and the first to secure the title with Mercedes.
Mercedes investment in Antonelli delivers historic result
Antonelli’s rise through motorsport was supported by Mercedes from an early age.
The German manufacturer recruited him into its junior programme and oversaw his development through karting, Formula Regional and Formula 2.
In 2025, Mercedes promoted the Italian directly to Formula 1 as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement, despite Antonelli having no Formula 3 experience.
The decision placed considerable pressure on the teenager, who joined one of the championship’s most successful teams at just 18.
However, Mercedes maintained its confidence in Antonelli throughout his rookie season.
The introduction of the 2026 regulations gave the team an opportunity to challenge for the championship, and Antonelli quickly established himself as its leading contender.
He arrived in Mexico with nine Grand Prix victories and a 123-point championship advantage, needing only ninth place to guarantee the title.
Antonelli eventually finished third as Verstappen won the Mexican Grand Prix, securing the championship with four scheduled races remaining.
Historic title sparks emotional celebration in Mexico
Antonelli’s achievement was accompanied by an emotional celebration.
The 20-year-old struggled to speak over the Mercedes radio after crossing the finish line, overcome by tears as the team confirmed his championship victory.
The moment was captured on video as Antonelli celebrated his first world title.
His triumph also broke Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion, which had stood since 2010.
Antonelli secured the title at 20 years, 2 months and 7 days, more than three years younger than Vettel when the German claimed his first championship.
The title gives Italy a new world champion after generations of drivers had attempted to follow Farina and Ascari.
With the Drivers’ Championship secured, Mercedes will now turn its attention to the Constructors’ Championship, where it leads Ferrari by 126 points after Mexico.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
