{"id":4827,"date":"2026-11-01T20:30:00","date_gmt":"2026-11-01T23:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/?p=4827"},"modified":"2026-11-01T20:25:24","modified_gmt":"2026-11-01T23:25:24","slug":"antonelli-thanks-mercedes-and-family-after-historic-f1-title-i-couldnt-see-the-track-through-my-tears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-thanks-mercedes-and-family-after-historic-f1-title-i-couldnt-see-the-track-through-my-tears\/","title":{"rendered":"Antonelli thanks Mercedes and family after historic F1 title: &#8216;I couldn&#8217;t see the track through my tears&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">News Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Andrea Kimi Antonelli revealed that tears made it difficult to see the track on the final lap<\/strong> of the Mexican Grand Prix as he secured his first Formula 1 world championship.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The 20-year-old thanked Mercedes and his family<\/strong>, admitting he was still struggling to comprehend becoming the youngest champion in F1 history.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Antonelli promised to continue fighting to bring Italy success<\/strong>, describing his first title as a new starting point rather than the end of his ambitions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli revealed that <strong>he could barely see the circuit through his tears on the final lap of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix<\/strong>, as the realisation of becoming Formula 1&#8217;s youngest world champion overwhelmed him. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver finished third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton on Sunday (November 1), securing the Drivers&#8217; Championship and ending Italy&#8217;s 73-year wait for another world champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;On the last lap, I let go. I couldn&#8217;t see the track because of the tears,&#8221; Antonelli said after the race, according to Italian broadcaster <em>Sport Mediaset<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian admitted that the scale of his achievement was still difficult to comprehend, even as he celebrated with his family and Mercedes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli credits Mercedes and family for historic F1 title<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli&#8217;s first reaction after the race was one of disbelief and gratitude.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;We did it, but without them, Mercedes and my family, I wouldn&#8217;t be here,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s a moment that will live forever. I&#8217;m speechless. It will take some time for it to sink in.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian was visibly emotional during the cool-down lap, crying inside his helmet before returning to the podium celebrations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/video-antonelli-breaks-down-in-tears-after-becoming-youngest-f1-world-champion-in-mexico\/\">His emotional reaction over the Mercedes team radio was captured on video<\/a>, with the team celebrating the completion of a remarkable second Formula 1 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Speaking again after having time to collect himself, Antonelli described the day as unforgettable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It&#8217;s a day I&#8217;ll remember forever. Thanks again to everyone who supports me and our sport,&#8221; he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;The dream is starting to become real. I&#8217;m going to enjoy every second.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli also revealed that he had begun to believe a championship challenge was possible much earlier in the season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;We had a strong car with a high level of performance. I thought I would have a great chance,&#8221;<\/strong> he explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Asked how he intended to celebrate, Antonelli said he wanted to share the moment with his family, friends and Mercedes team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"F1 2026, M\u00c9XICO, CIDADE DO M\u00c9XICO, CORRIDA, P\u00d3DIO, MERCEDES, KIMI ANTONELLI\" class=\"wp-image-1020320085\" srcset=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-1200x675.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02-150x84.jpg 150w, https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/f1-2026-mexico-cidade-do-mexico-corrida-podio-mercedes-kimi-antonelli-02.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Kimi Antonelli (Photo: F1)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli admits pressure before title-deciding Mexican GP<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Although Antonelli entered Mexico with a commanding championship lead, he admitted that the prospect of securing the title had affected him during the weekend.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;I felt a bit of pressure this weekend, but now we can enjoy the rest of the season,&#8221;<\/strong> he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Italian had already <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-admits-feeling-tense-in-mexico-qualifying-as-first-f1-title-moves-closer\/\">acknowledged feeling tense after Saturday&#8217;s qualifying session<\/a>, when he recorded the fifth-fastest time before moving to fourth on the grid following Max Verstappen&#8217;s penalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli needed only ninth place to guarantee the championship, but completed the Grand Prix on the podium, finishing 4.006s behind Verstappen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The result secured his first world title at <strong>20 years, 2 months and 7 days<\/strong>, breaking Sebastian Vettel&#8217;s record as Formula 1&#8217;s youngest champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-ends-italys-73-year-wait-for-f1-world-champion-after-mexico-title\/\">Antonelli also became Italy&#8217;s first world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Antonelli celebrates sharing podium with Verstappen and Hamilton<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The new champion also highlighted the significance of sharing the podium with two of Formula 1&#8217;s most successful drivers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s been an incredible season and sharing this podium with Max and Lewis is fantastic,&#8221;<\/strong> Antonelli said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;I can&#8217;t wait to have more battles with them.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verstappen, who won the Mexican Grand Prix, subsequently <a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/verstappen-praises-antonellis-historic-f1-title-and-reveals-struggle-to-hold-off-hamilton-in-mexico\/\">praised Antonelli&#8217;s championship and said he was proud of the Italian&#8217;s achievement<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamilton also congratulated Antonelli and his former Mercedes team, describing the achievement as extraordinary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The seven-time world champion had left Mercedes at the end of 2024, creating the vacancy that Antonelli filled in 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli&#8217;s championship therefore represents a significant milestone for Mercedes, which promoted the Italian directly from Formula 2 at the age of 18.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">&#8216;We&#8217;ll keep pushing to take Italy higher&#8217;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Antonelli also addressed Italian supporters directly, thanking them for their encouragement throughout his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;Thank you all for your support. We did it, and we&#8217;ll keep pushing to take Italy higher,&#8221;<\/strong> he said in Italian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The message reflected the historical significance of his achievement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Italy had not celebrated a Formula 1 Drivers&#8217; World Championship since Alberto Ascari won his second title with Ferrari in 1953.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/antonelli-shatters-16-year-f1-record-how-his-historic-title-compares-with-vettel-hamilton-and-verstappen\/\">Antonelli also broke Vettel&#8217;s 16-year record as the youngest world champion<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the celebrations, the Mercedes driver made clear that he does not intend to treat his first title as the culmination of his career.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>&#8220;It&#8217;s a new starting point to keep winning,&#8221;<\/strong> Antonelli said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">&#8220;It&#8217;s been an incredible championship. Now we&#8217;ll try to win again, and then we&#8217;ll think about 2027.&#8221;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The next scheduled race is the S\u00e3o Paulo Grand Prix on November 8, where Antonelli will compete for the first time as Formula 1 world champion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>GRANDE PR\u00caMIO<\/strong> is following the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/f1\/\">Formula 1 section<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Andrea Kimi Antonelli admitted he could barely see the circuit through his tears on the final lap in Mexico, thanked Mercedes and his family for making his dream possible and promised to keep fighting for Italy.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1020320067,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"42wp_featured_image_caption":"Andrea Kimi Antonelli","42wp_featured_image_credits":"Mercedes","42wp_featured_video":"","42wp_ai_content_disclaimer":"","42wp_is_ai_content":false,"42wp_featured_image_hidden":false,"42wp_authors_list":[{"id":7,"location":""}],"footnotes":"","42wp_hide_from_automatic":false,"42wp_breaking_news":false},"categories":[5],"tags":[19,980,16,963],"42wp_author":[7],"class_list":["post-4827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-f1","tag-andrea-kimi-antonelli","tag-f1-world-champion","tag-mercedes","tag-mexican-grand-prix","42wp_author-victor-martins"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4827"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4828,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4827\/revisions\/4828"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1020320067"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4827"},{"taxonomy":"42wp_author","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/grandepremio.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/42wp_author?post=4827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}