Kimi Antonelli: Nightmare rookie season to replace Lewis Hamilton to become youngest world champion in F1 history

Kimi Antonelli (Image credit: TimesofIndia.com) Mercedes progeny Kimi Antonelli did it. The Italian became the youngest ever Formula 1 world champion, breaking the record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was crowned champion in 2010 at the age of 23. Antonelli achieved this feat in just his second season with Mercedes, enduring a difficult rookie campaign before dominating the 2026 season.Nine wins, 16 podiums in 19 rounds and six wins in a row. His 2026 campaign was a remarkable turnaround from a debut season that often saw the pressure to replace the seven-time world champion.Antonelli’s Formula 1 journey took a significant turn in August 2024 when Mercedes announced him as Hamilton’s replacement for the 2025 season.Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes for Ferrari ended a highly successful partnership that had produced six drivers’ championships and several constructors’ titles. Replacing a driver of his stature is never going to be an easy task, especially for an 18-year-old making his F1 debut.However, Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff put his trust in Antonelli, who had already impressed in the junior categories.It was not a decision taken lightly. Mercedes were handing over one of the biggest jobs in Formula 1 to an 18-year-old with the added responsibility of replacing the seven-time world champion. Antonelli won the Italian and ADAC Formula 4 championships in 2022 before becoming European Formula Regional champion in 2023. He then went straight to Formula 2 and skipped Formula 3 altogether.

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, who finished third, is lifted by Red Bull race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands, left, and second Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain after winning the world championship at the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix in Mexico City (AP Photo/Fernando Llano))

Difficult rookie season: When expectations became overwhelming

At the start of his F1 career in 2025, Antonelli secured fourth and sixth positions in China and Japan respectively, showing that the Mercedes-bred can compete with the established names on the grid. But the Italian endured a difficult European stretch, with retirements in Imola, Spain, Austria and Britain, along with disappointing results in Monaco and Belgium.Antonelli later admitted that he let the expectations surrounding him affect his performances.“I let the pressure get to me during that period,” he reflected on his difficult rookie campaign.There were also encouraging moments. Antonelli secured his first Formula 1 podium with third place in Canada. He later finished second in Brazil and added another podium in Las Vegas. He finished his debut campaign with 150 points and three podium finishes, despite a difficult season.

The Turn in 2026: From Rookie to Champion

The first season gave Antonelli a difficult introduction to Formula 1. He returned in 2026 with a better understanding of the demands of the sport and the expectations that come with driving for Mercedes.He finished second in the Australian Grand Prix and had a breakout performance in China. After securing his first Formula 1 pole position in Shanghai, Antonelli turned it into his first Grand Prix victory.The Italian briefly lost the lead to Hamilton at the start, but regained his position before the end of the second lap. He then dominated the race and crossed the finish line 5.5 seconds ahead of teammate George Russell.At 19, Antonelli became the second youngest Grand Prix winner in Formula One history and the first Italian to win a race in the sport since Giancarlo Fisichella in 2006.He followed that performance up with another win in Japan and established himself as a serious contender for the championship.

The nine wins that defined Antonelli’s championship season

Antonelli’s 2026 campaign was built on nine Grand Prix victories. His first victory in China was followed by another victory in Japan. He continued his run with wins in Miami and Canada before adding Monaco to his growing list of achievements.He also won in Belgium, Italy, Spain and the United States, taking nine Grand Prix wins for the season.His victory in Mexico was among the standout performances of the campaign. However, the middle part of the season was not without setbacks. Antonelli retired in Barcelona and finished 15th in the British Grand Prix.

From his rookie season in 2025 to world champion in 2026, a look at Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable numbers and the progression behind his rise to the top.

How Antonelli dominated the championship standings

After victories in China and Japan, Antonelli moved to the top of the World Championship standings. While victory proved difficult to secure, he continued to collect valuable points with podium finishes and top five finishes.At the end of the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli has 380 points, giving him a 119-point lead over his nearest challenger Max Verstappen, who had 261 points.Lewis Hamilton is third in the standings with 259 points, followed by George Russell with 250 points.Antonelli’s winning campaign included nine Grand Prix wins, 16 podium finishes, seven pole positions and seven fastest laps.

Mexico City: The race that crowned Antonelli champion

Antonelli arrived at the Mexico City Grand Prix knowing that ninth place would be enough to secure the championship regardless of the results of his rivals.Starting from fifth, the Mercedes driver faced a red-flagged race after Valtteri Bottas’ accident. A late Safety Car period after Arvid Lindblad’s crash added further uncertainty.In the end, Verstappen secured the victory, Hamilton finished second. However, Antonelli held on for third place and brought his Mercedes home.The 15 points he collected was enough to put the championship beyond mathematical reach.When his race engineer Peter Bonnington confirmed the title over the team radio, Antonelli could hardly contain his emotions.“We did it! Thank you very much,” he replied.

From his first win at the Chinese Grand Prix to nine victories in a winning campaign – a look at the wins that defined Kimi Antonelli’s remarkable 2026 season.)

Beating Sebastian Vettel’s record

Antonelli’s championship also ended Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record as the youngest world champion in Formula One history.Vettel won his first drivers’ championship with Red Bull in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days. Antonelli broke that mark at 20 years and 68 days, becoming the youngest rider in the history of the sport to win the title.He also became the first Italian Formula One world champion since Alberto Ascari, who secured back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953.

At 20 years and 68 days, Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history. Here’s how he compares with the youngest drivers to win a world championship.)

The difference between his first and second seasons was evident in the results. From 150 points and three podiums in 2025, Antonelli progressed to 380 points, nine wins and 16 podiums in 2026.Hamilton’s exit opened the door and Wolff’s faith gave him an opportunity. Antonelli has now delivered the championship backed Mercedes to win.KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 FORMULA 1 WORLD CHAMPION.