Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 title is the latest milestone in a rapid climb through motorsport. The Italian was crowned champion in 2026 at 20 years, 2 months and 7 days, after beating Mercedes teammate George Russell and winning the championship well before the season’s end.
In 2024, Mercedes announced Antonelli as Lewis Hamilton’s replacement for the following season. At the time, the 18-year-old was viewed as a prospect for the future and did not yet have a driving licence. Five years earlier, he had been beginning his single-seater career in Italian Formula 4.
Antonelli’s results in karting had already attracted attention. Mercedes brought him into its driver academy in 2019, and in 2020 he won the Italian, European and Euro Series titles in the OK category. He then moved into Formula 4, taking the Italian and German championships in 2022. His Italian F4 campaign included 13 wins and 14 pole positions in 20 races.
In 2023, Antonelli won both the Formula Regional European Championship and the Middle East series. Rather than follow the usual progression through Formula 3, Mercedes promoted him directly to Formula 2 with Prema for 2024. He finished sixth in the championship, with wins at Silverstone and Hungaroring helping put him in contention for a Formula 1 seat.
Mercedes confirmed Antonelli as Hamilton’s successor a day after the Italian crashed during his first Formula 1 practice session, at the 2024 Italian Grand Prix. His rookie season in 2025 brought a fourth-place finish in Australia and a first podium in Canada, followed by further podiums in São Paulo and Las Vegas. The season also included difficult stretches as he adapted to the car.
Antonelli’s breakthrough came in 2026. He won in China in only the second race of the season, then recorded five consecutive victories. Three more wins followed, including a memorable triumph at Monza after starting 19th. His results put him ahead of Russell and secured the title with plenty of the championship still to run.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff has credited Antonelli’s composure and disciplined approach alongside his speed. Wolff said the young driver maintained a steady emotional outlook through both strong and difficult periods, while learning the demands of the team and its race circuits.
Sources: Globo Esporte.