‘He’s made everyone else look silly’ – F1 Grid Praises New World Champion Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli has officially etched his name into motorsport history by capturing the 2026 Drivers’ World Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The Italian driver secured a third-place finish, delivering the necessary points to wrap up the drivers’ crown in just his sophomore season at the pinnacle of motorsport. Making the milestone even more memorable, the 20-year-old stood on the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez podium flanked by race winner Max Verstappen and multiple-time champion Lewis Hamilton, marking an iconic changing of the guard.

Podium Legends Commend Antonelli’s Composure and Skill

Standing on the rostrum alongside two of Formula 1’s most decorated modern drivers underscored the scale of Antonelli’s rapid ascent. Despite missing out on the race win to Verstappen, Antonelli earned immediate praise from his fellow podium finishers, who both recognized the immense challenge of maintaining championship-winning form across an entire calendar.

“I think to achieve this in your second year in F1 is always very impressive,” Verstappen said. “Because, of course, at his age as well, 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. It’s not always easy to deliver every single weekend, but he has done that, and he’s the deserved champion this year.”

Hamilton added: “I mean, it was beautiful to be up there with these two and to be up there with Kimi for his first World Championship. I think it was a very special moment, one of the most special moments that I remember having here.”

Widespread Praise Across the Formula 1 Paddock

Antonelli’s championship coronation drew heartfelt reactions from the wider Formula 1 grid, including outgoing champion Lando Norris. The McLaren driver made it clear that Antonelli’s dominance throughout the 2026 campaign earned him undisputed right to the title.

“Unbelievable,” said the McLaren driver. “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, 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, and he’s exploited it better than anyone else. So he deserves every single bit of success.

“He’s had an unbelievable year, and it’s even more impressive that it’s only his second season in F1. He’s 20 years old, it’s incredible. So I’m very happy for him, very, very happy for him. And I’m very happy to see my number one go over to him, because he deserves it. So in a way, happy to see it go.”

Norris’ team mate Oscar Piastri also acknowledged the execution required from both Mercedes and Antonelli to secure the title far earlier than the intense showdown of 2025.

“He’s done an incredible job I think,” said the Australian. “In his second season in F1 to accomplish what he’s accomplished this year is very, very impressive. And 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, so a very impressive season.”

Experienced Drivers Laud Flawless Season Management

Veterans across the grid noted the methodical way Antonelli orchestrated his championship campaign. Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc observed the celebrations from the track, highlighting the poise demonstrated by the young Italian.

“I’m obviously very happy for him,” said Charles Leclerc. “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.

“I was trying to wait for him after the chequered flag, but I guess he was going very slow to celebrate as he should, and I’ll go and see him later. But it’s fully deserved. I mean, he didn’t put a step wrong since the beginning of the end.”

Carlos Sainz, who brings more than a decade of Formula 1 experience to the discussion, commended the Mercedes driver for capitalizing on machinery capable of fighting at the front from day one.

“I think completely deserved, and honestly, he’s done a really, really good year,” said Carlos Sainz, a driver with more than a decade in the sport behind him. “He’s known how to maximise his chance of becoming World Champion [in] his second year in F1.

“A lot of us would have wished to have such a competitive car in our first years in F1, and he did exactly that. He was given the opportunity to win a championship, and the year that it’s given to him, he maximised everything.

“He did a perfect first half of the year, dominated, and then controlled the second part of the year, which is what a World Champion has to do, and I think he did it really, really well.”

Sainz’s team mate Alex Albon pinpointed Antonelli’s race pace as the decisive factor throughout the season.

“It’s really impressive,” said the Williams driver. “I think also his mentality, at least from the outside he looked very relaxed. I heard some comments in qualifying that he was a bit tense.

“If anything, his race pace has been really impressive – so I think what’s kind of separated him from the rest of the grid this year is his race pace, and of course, most probably partly car as well. But it’s been really impressive to see the step he’s made from last year.”

Inspiration for the Next Generation

The paddock’s younger cohort viewed Antonelli’s achievement as proof of what their generation can accomplish under pressure. Franco Colapinto expressed his admiration for how Antonelli handled leading the championship table across the entire calendar.

“Can’t get any better than World Champion between the two best champions in the last era of F1,” said Franco Colapinto of the Mexico City podium.

“He deserves it. He needs to enjoy it. I think it’s the dream of all of us, what he had this year. The speed, we all knew that he had it, but I think the consistency that he showed this year, race after race, being on the podium and scoring the points and not making mistakes – it’s been extremely impressive to have that weight in your shoulders of being P1 in the championship for so long from the start to the end.”

Gabriel Bortoleto, who developed alongside Antonelli throughout junior single-seater formulas, drew personal motivation from his peer’s title victory.

“We are very close on age,” said the Brazilian. “He’s a bit younger than I am. I’ve fought for championships in F2 and F3, and I know how tense you are when you are fighting. But imagine fighting for a F1 championship against, I don’t know, Russell, Max, Lewis, all these World Champions [with] so much experience – and the guy didn’t break. He was always there, consistent, boom, on top.

“So an impressive job from him. And again, I hope to be fighting for titles with him in the future, because that would be a beautiful story, a guy I know since I’m like 10 years old, 11 years old, to F1, and now he’s World Champion – and I’m trying to reach that game.”

Why This Matters

Winning a Formula 1 World Championship in just a sophomore season puts Kimi Antonelli into historically rare company, solidifying Mercedes’ long-term bet on their young prodigy. By managing race pace, avoiding high-stakes mistakes, and withstanding the psychological strain of leading the standings from the outset, Antonelli proved capable of competing against and beating seasoned champions like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and George Russell. As the grid looks ahead, Antonelli’s triumph signals a definitive generational shift in Formula 1, establishing the Italian as the new benchmark for the rest of the field to challenge.

Frequently Asked Questions

How did Kimi Antonelli win the 2026 Drivers’ World Championship?

Kimi Antonelli clinched the title by finishing in third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix, securing an unassailable points tally in the championship standings over the course of his second full season in Formula 1.

Who shared the podium with Antonelli in Mexico City?

Antonelli shared the podium with race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, who completed the top three positions in Mexico.

How old is Kimi Antonelli upon winning his first world title?

Antonelli is 20 years old, achieving the championship crown in only his second season competing in Formula 1.