From dream to reality of a day as a legend for Italian motoring signed by Andrea Kimi Antonelli. At the second available match point, the driver from Bologna arrives on time for his appointment with history and, 73 years after the last time with Alberto Ascari, brings the Formula 1 drivers' title back to the Bel Paese and becomes the youngest world champion in history. A very long wait finally ended in Mexico City, in the fifth to last Grand Prix of the season, where the Mercedes ace scored the last points (two were enough) to become the 2026 world champion, placing himself on the podium in third place at the finish line behind Max Verstappen's Red Bull (first) and Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari. Charles Leclerc's other Red car came fourth.
Kimi cries inside the cockpit of his Mercedes immediately after crossing the finish line in the Mexican GP which crowns him world champion. Then the hugs with Hamilton, Verstappen, his family and the entire Mercedes team. The party for the young Italian can begin with strong emotions. "We did it. I wouldn't be here without Mercedes and my family, I'm grateful to them. It's been an incredible season, it's incredible and crazy to share the podium with champions like Hamilton and Verstappen. Thank you very much Mexico."
All in a GP where Antonelli started in full control of the situation, witnessing the duel at the green light between the Reds of Hamilton and Leclerc which saw the Monegasque prevail and then, however, penalized 5 seconds for the risky maneuver at the start. 'Bumper cars' between the Reds which infuriated the seven-time world champion who exclaimed via radio: "the race direction wants Leclerc to win". 10'' penalty at the start also for George Russell's Mercedes (due to contact with Hadjar on the first lap) just to further secure Antonelli's world championship celebration. The Englishman will finish his race in sixth place once again behind his world champion companion.
Race also characterized by a red flag due to the tire failure of Bottas's Cadillac with impact on the barriers. An announced triumph for the prodigy from Bologna who arrived four races from the end of a season dominated from the start by the driver of the German team despite a first year with the Silver Star which had also seen him in great difficulty, arousing more than one criticism and second thoughts about his ability to race a top team.
This year, however, Antonelli went beyond all expectations, surprising everyone with his way of driving to the point of wiping away any doubts about his qualities. From the first races 'Kimiferma' put all his rivals on the track in line, from the most successful Hamilton and Verstappen to his most trusted teammate George Russell who had to give up due to the clear superiority of the 20-year-old driver from Bologna.
A well-deserved World Championship thanks also and above all to the superiority of the Mercedes engine, the scent of which began to be truly felt in the temple of speed in Monza last September, when Antonelli managed to win starting from the back of the grid, making even the Ferrari fans go crazy with joy, disappointed once again by the Reds not being up to par in their home race.
Raised between the Aci Team Italia and the Mercedes Academy which decided to focus on him unlike Ferrari, Antonelli has shown great maturity despite his young age, repeatedly receiving compliments from his 'friend' Verstappen and the seven-time world champion Hamilton. Compared to his more experienced teammate Russell, he was able to better interpret the qualities of his car, almost never making mistakes during the season and improving GP after GP even in the starting phases, his Achilles' heel at the start of the championship.
Among the first to congratulate Antonelli directly from the Mexico City circuit was the president of the Automobile Club Italia Geronimo La Russa, head of the federation where the Bolognese driver, through the Aci team Italia, grew up. "Italy is back. Today we don't just celebrate a champion: we celebrate the end of a wait that lasted too long. As the Automobile Club of Italy and as the motorsports federation, we shout out loud 'Thank you Kimi'. Thank you for having brought the tricolor back to the top of the Formula 1 world rankings. A tricolor that interprets national pride in a strong and important way." "Thanks - continues the president of the Federation - which also goes to his family, his team, Mercedes and all those who, over time, have believed in this immense Italian talent. Today Kimi puts an end to 73 years of waiting and gives us fantastic satisfaction."
