For 73 years, Italy waited for another Formula 1 world champion. On November 1, 2026, that wait finally ended when Kimi Antonelli secured the world championship at just 20 years and 63 days old, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s previous record at 23 years and 143 days old. The Italian driver accomplished this only in his second season in Formula 1.
Italy has a rich history in Formula 1 and Motorsport. Giuseppe Farina became the sport’s first-ever world champion in 1950, driving for Alfa Romeo. Alberto Ascari followed by winning back-to-back championships in 1952 and 1953 with Ferrari. Since then, no Italian driver had won the title making Antonelli’s win even more remarkable for the nation and sports history.
“Italy at the top of Formula 1 is not something common. I don’t think in all the years I’ve followed Formula 1 I have seen an Italian champion,” pointed out Formula 1 enthusiast, Joseph Albornoz.
Being only his second season, most enthusiasts and critics doubted his capabilities. Replacing Hamilton was no easy task, but Antonelli demonstrated his fierce and competitive spirit by winning five consecutive races in China, Japan, Miami, Canada, and Monaco. China marked the start of a legendary streak that would contribute to his conquest for the championship.
“What impressed me the most was the fact that he is so young and it’s his second year in F1. It must have been a lot of pressure to have to hear everyone doubting your position in such a prestigious seat like Mercedes,” said junior and F1 enthusiast Amanda Acerbi-Savloff.
Mercedes-Benz F1 Team Principal, CEO, and Co-Owner, Toto Wolff, tracked the Italian prodigy’s development since as early as 2017. Later in 2019, a 12-year-old Antonelli signed with the Mercedes’ Junior Racing Program.
“It was a calculated risk, not a real risk,” said Wolff after Antonelli clinched the championship in Mexico. Wolff’s trust in Antonelli demonstrates the reasoning behind his decision of promoting someone from the junior categories rather than acquiring a driver in the market.
“I think it really goes to show that Mercedes and Toto Wolff didn’t make a mistake of putting him in the main team, Kimi’s drive is something the sport hasn’t seen in a while,” said senior Thomas Sluijters.
Mercedes-Benz’ recent Constructors championship win has demonstrated the team’s improvement from the previous seasons where they fell short to the Red Bull and McLaren dominance years.
The team’s revival coincided with Antonelli’s promotion to the senior team. At just 20-years-old, Antonelli has already ended Italy’s 73-year wait for a champion. The popular question is, could this mark the beginning of a new era for Mercedes and Italian Motorsport?
