Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli clinched a historic championship in Mexico City in a record-breaking season, becoming the youngest champion F1 has ever seen. The Italian driver was flooded with emotions and wishes, with almost the entire grid coming together to congratulate the 20-year-old on his achievement.
After winning the title in Mexico City, Max Verstappen was among the first to congratulate Antonelli, stating that the young driver had an “incredible” season. He added, “It’s amazing to see the whole team of course celebrating with him. His family is here as well, so I’m sure this is a very emotional day for him, and I’m very proud of him.”
Lewis Hamilton came in next as he congratulated Antonelli as well as his old team, Mercedes. “It’s great to see them all up here celebrating their success. Youngest world champion ever. It’s pretty phenomenal.” The 41-year-old added that he was grateful to have witnessed it as part of the race.
The outgoing world champion Lando Norris felt that Antonelli had “blown everyone away” with his performance this season. “I hope everyone gives him enough credit for what he’s achieved this year because he’s made everyone else look silly.”
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc considers himself a young driver at 29, but said that “when I look at him (Antonelli), he’s even younger. And to see his parents underneath the podium being so emotional is a beautiful image. So, I’m very, very happy for him.”
Several other drivers, including Carlos Sainz, Franco Colapinto, Oscar Piastri, Pierre Gasly, and Arvid Lindblad, also came together to celebrate the championship for Antonelli. But perhaps none of them was as special as the message from Sebastian Vettel.
Sebastian Vettel Tips His Hat to Kimi Antonelli
Having won the 2026 F1 title, Antonelli dethroned Vettel as the youngest champion in the history of F1. But instead of being sad about it, the German driver couldn’t help but be immensely happy for the Italian driver. In a special coming together of two generations, F1 even had Vettel issue a special message for the Mercedes driver, via a video letter.
Through the video, Vettel complimented Antonelli’s driving throughout the 2026 season, including the control he put on display in almost every Grand Prix. The maturity shown by the No. 12 driver in the campaign had also taken Vettel by surprise, who was reminded of his own title win from 2010.
Advising Antonelli to be ready for several sleepless nights, the German former driver asked him not to get too ahead of himself after the win. For Vettel, great success can often have a lasting impact on a young mindset, and he hopes that it won’t change the way Antonelli looks at the people around him.
And while all of this went on, George Russell also found it in himself to issue a congratulatory message to his teammate.
George Russell Congratulates Kimi Antonelli Amid Personal Heartbreak
Hoping to somehow keep his championship hopes alive, Russell went into the Mexico City GP with a race win in mind. But everything that could’ve gone wrong for the No. 63 driver did go wrong at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. Despite what Toto Wolff branded a ‘distraught’ mood after the race, Russell still issued a statement after seeing his teammate become world champion.
“Congratulations to Kimi on a thoroughly deserved championship. He has done a fantastic job this season and can be incredibly proud of what he has achieved,” Russell said.
The British driver then shifted focus to the problems he faced during the race, including the lack of energy deployment on the first straight. Having subsequently opted to skip out on his post-race media duties, Russell hopes to reset and come back stronger in Brazil, as his team still has a constructors’ championship to win.
More F1 Reading
- Mexican GP Result Changes Multiple Times as Penalties Reshape Standings
- ‘That Model of Racing Driver Has Died’: Toto Wolff Hails Kimi Antonelli as a New Breed of F1 Champion
- Mercedes Fined $5,589 After George Russell Leaves Mexican GP Without Speaking to Press
- ‘I Will Need Time To Digest’: Fred Vasseur Furious After Ferrari’s First 2026 Pole Ends in Costly Mexico Clash
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Mexican GP Result Changes Multiple Times as Penalties Reshape Standings
‘That Model of Racing Driver Has Died’: Toto Wolff Hails Kimi Antonelli as a New Breed of F1 Champion
Mercedes Fined $5,589 After George Russell Leaves Mexican GP Without Speaking to Press
‘I Will Need Time To Digest’: Fred Vasseur Furious After Ferrari’s First 2026 Pole Ends in Costly Mexico Clash
