Kimi Antonelli, 20, F1's Youngest-Ever Champion Receives Glowing Tributes From Verstappen, Hamilton and Norris

Kimi Antonelli has been showered with praise by the Formula 1 grid after the Italian created history in Mexico as he became the youngest-ever F1 champion at the age of 20.

The Mercedes driver - competing in just his second F1 season - is being hailed by reigning champion Lando Norris, four-time champion Max Verstappen and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton among others.

Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 Drivers' Championship with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday (November 1). Max Verstappen won the race, with Hamilton finishing second, but Antonelli's podium was enough to secure the title with four rounds remaining.

At 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel's record of 23 years and 134 days, set when the German won his first world championship in 2010. He also became the first Italian to win the F1 Drivers' Championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait.

The scale of the achievement was reflected in the celebrations at the podium. Verstappen and Hamilton, two of the sport's most successful champions, lifted Antonelli onto their shoulders as the new world champion celebrated with his Mercedes team.

The moment was followed by a wave of appreciation from across the paddock, with drivers acknowledging not only his speed but also the consistency and composure he displayed during just his second season in Formula 1.

Max Verstappen on Kimi Antonelli: 'Really, really impressive'

Verstappen, who won the Mexico City Grand Prix, was among the first to congratulate Antonelli, describing his championship campaign as remarkable, particularly given his age.

"It's incredible, of course, what a season he had. And, you know, to do that also at such an age, I think it's just really, really impressive. 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," Verstappen said.

The Red Bull driver also praised Antonelli's ability to remain consistent, avoid major mistakes and outperform his experienced Mercedes team-mate George Russell.

"At his age, to be so solid, not make big mistakes, and of course also beat your experienced team-mate, he's just driven incredible, and I'm very proud of him, how he has handled himself this whole season," he added.

Lewis Hamilton congratulates Antonelli: 'Pretty phenomenal'

Hamilton, who finished second behind Verstappen in Mexico, also joined the celebrations, congratulating both Antonelli and Mercedes.

The seven-time world champion had left Mercedes at the end of 2024, with Antonelli stepping into the seat ahead of the 2025 season. The Italian's title triumph has now given the team another Drivers' Championship.

"A huge congratulations to Kimi and the Mercedes team. It's great to see them all up here celebrating their success. Youngest world champion ever, it's pretty phenomenal. And I'm so grateful to be in the race to witness it," Hamilton said.

Hamilton's gesture of lifting Antonelli alongside Verstappen on the podium became one of the defining images of the championship celebrations.

Lando Norris: 'He's made everyone else look silly'

Outgoing world champion Norris was equally generous in his assessment of Antonelli, suggesting that the Italian's performances had not received enough recognition because of how convincingly he had delivered them.

"I think what he's done is he's blown everyone away. I hope everyone gives him enough credit for what he's achieved this year because he's made everyone else look silly," Norris said.

The McLaren driver also highlighted Antonelli's ability to understand and maximise the potential of his Mercedes car.

"He's driven that well and he's been able to click with his car. He's worked hard to understand how to drive this car. He just exploited it better than anyone else, so he deserves every single bit of success. He's had an unbelievable year."

Norris also pointed to the challenge of beating an experienced team-mate in Russell, stressing that Antonelli's performances over the course of the season deserved particular recognition.

The Briton was gracious about handing over his championship status, adding: "I'm very happy to see my number one go over to him because he deserves it."

Charles Leclerc: 'It's a beautiful image'

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc also congratulated Antonelli, describing the celebrations involving the young driver's family as a particularly memorable moment.

"I'm obviously very happy for him. I consider myself young, but when I look at him 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," Leclerc said.

The Monegasque added that he had tried to meet Antonelli after the chequered flag but understood that the new champion was busy celebrating the achievement.

He also praised the Mercedes driver's consistency throughout the campaign, saying Antonelli had not put a step wrong since the beginning of the year.

Toto Wolff: 'People were doubters, and then this'

For Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, Antonelli's championship was also a moment of vindication after the criticism surrounding the decision to promote the Italian directly into a Mercedes race seat.

Wolff recalled how Mercedes had backed Antonelli from his junior karting days, despite questions about whether he was ready for Formula 1 following a difficult Formula 2 campaign.

"It's incredible, we have to pinch ourselves because it seems like yesterday he was 11 years old in the garage in junior karting. And it goes so fast," Wolff said.

The Austrian revealed that the decision to promote Antonelli was made immediately after Hamilton informed Mercedes of his move to Ferrari.

"He wins the junior formula, then a difficult year in F2 and that's already where people started to doubt. Then when Lewis told me 'I'm going to Ferrari', it was my immediate reaction that we've got to put him in the car. But people were doubters," he said.

Wolff also disclosed that two sponsors had left Mercedes because of the decision to promote the young Italian.

"People said he shouldn't even be in F1, he should be at a smaller team, 10 races and no points, the tears in Spa, and then this. I'm just so proud for the team, all of them continued to trust him and he delivered," he added.

The Mercedes boss also praised Antonelli's maturity and composure during the championship-deciding race, describing his performance as serene despite the pressure surrounding the occasion.

Stefano Domenicali: 'An entire nation will celebrate'

Formula 1 president and CEO Stefano Domenicali described Antonelli's championship as an extraordinary achievement, highlighting its significance for Italian motorsport.

The title made Antonelli the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for the country.

"Today, Kimi Antonelli has made history. Becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion is an extraordinary achievement, earned through exceptional talent, courage and determination," Domenicali said.

"It fills me with immense pride to see Kimi become the first Italian Formula 1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. For 73 years, our country has waited for this moment, and today an entire nation will celebrate one of its own reaching the very pinnacle of our sport."

Domenicali also highlighted the inspiration Antonelli's achievement could provide to young racing enthusiasts.

"Greatness is measured not only by records, but by the generations it inspires. Kimi has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world and shown young people everywhere that there are no limits to what can be achieved through dedication, belief and hard work," he added.

Oscar Piastri, Carlos Sainz and other F1 drivers praise Antonelli

The appreciation for Antonelli extended well beyond the podium.

McLaren's Oscar Piastri acknowledged the role played by Mercedes in supporting the Italian while also recognising the driver's contribution to the team's success.

"He's done an incredible job. I think in his second season in F1 to accomplish what he's accomplished this year is very, very impressive. Clearly Mercedes have done a good job around him, giving him the car to deliver, supporting him, and he's done the business as well," Piastri said.

Carlos Sainz also described the championship as fully deserved, pointing to Antonelli's ability to maximise his opportunity in a competitive car.

"I think completely deserved and honestly he's done a really, really good year. He's known how to maximise his chance of becoming world champion in his second year in Formula 1," Sainz said.

The Williams driver added that Antonelli had delivered an impressive first half of the season before controlling the championship challenge in the latter stages.

Pierre Gasly also praised the new champion's consistency, saying that securing the title with four races remaining demonstrated the level of his performances.

Franco Colapinto, meanwhile, highlighted the maturity Antonelli showed while carrying the pressure of leading the championship.

Peter Bonnington's emotional message: 'Just the first chapter'

One of the most emotional moments came over the Mercedes team radio after Antonelli secured the championship. His race engineer, Peter Bonnington, popularly known as Bono, was among the first to congratulate the Italian.

"Get in there, Kimi! Champion of the world!" Bonnington told him over the radio.

He later added: "Beautiful work, Kimi. It's a real pleasure being part of the journey with you, mate. But yeah, it's just the first chapter."

Antonelli, overwhelmed by the moment, responded with an emotional celebration and thanked Mercedes and his family for helping him reach the pinnacle of the sport.

"We did it! I wouldn't be here without Mercedes, without my family, so I'm very grateful for this moment, and it's one that will live forever," the 20-year-old said.

With the youngest-ever world champion record secured and Italy celebrating its first Formula 1 title in more than seven decades, Antonelli has received recognition from rivals and established champions alike.

And if the reaction from across the paddock is any indication, his historic 2026 triumph has earned him the respect of the Formula 1 fraternity.