Kimi Antonelli has been crowned Formula 1 world champion, capping off a historic season for the Italian in just his second year in F1. 

The Mercedes driver secured the title in Mexico on Monday, becoming the category's youngest-ever world champion. 

But Antonelli has done more than break the record as the youngest-ever world champion, setting numerous new benchmarks that are likely to stand for some time. 

Here are the records Antonelli has broken in 2026 on his way to the world championship. 

Youngest Formula 1 world champion

The crowning achievement of Antonelli's 2026 is the world title. He has become the youngest ever world champion in F1, a record he has smashed.

At 20 years, 68 days, Antonelli has beaten the previous mark set by Sebastian Vettel, 23 years, 133 days, by three years.

  • Kimi Antonelli (2026) — 20 years, 68 days
  • Sebastian Vettel (2010) — 23 years, 133 days
  • Lewis Hamilton (2008) — 23 years, 300 days
  • Fernando Alonso (2005) — 24 years, 7 days
  • Max Verstappen (2021) — 24 years, 73 days

First driver born in the 21st century to become world champion

It is the sign of a new age.

Kimi Antonelli is the first F1 driver born in the 21st century to become world champion. He was born on August 25, 2006.

Last year's champion, Lando Norris, was born in 1999.

Youngest driver to lead the F1 championship

Antonelli first took the lead of this year's championship after the third round in Japan.

Oscar Piastri and Kimi Antonelli on the podium

Kimi Antonelli beat Oscar Piastri for the win in Japan, claiming the lead of the F1 championship as a 19-year-old. (Getty Images: Clive Mason)

When the then-teenager took the chequered flag at Suzuka for his second win of the season, he surpassed Lewis Hamilton as the youngest driver to ever lead the drivers' championship.

Hamilton had held the record since his rookie season in 2007, when the then-McLaren driver took the lead of that year's championship following the Spanish Grand Prix.

  • Kimi Antonelli (Japan, 2026) — 19 years, 7 months, 4 days
  • Lewis Hamilton (Spain, 2007) — 22 years, 4 months, 6 days
  • Bruce McLaren (Argentina, 1960) — 22 years, 5 months, 8 days
  • Sebastian Vettel (Abu Dhabi, 2010) —23 years, 4 months, 11 days
  • Kimi Raikkonen (Malaysia, 2003) — 23 years, 5 months, 6 days

Youngest F1 pole sitter

Antonelli's record-breaking in 2026 began in round two, when he roared to pole position for the Chinese Grand Prix.

The Italian produced a tremendous lap to pip teammate George Russell, who to that stage had won the Australian Grand Prix, the China sprint race, and qualified on pole for both.

Antonelli was 19 years, 6 months, 18 days old when he took pole in Shanghai, beating the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel, who claimed a shock maiden pole for Toro Rosso at Monza in 2008, aged 21 years, 2 months, 11 days.

  • Kimi Antonelli (China, 2026) — 19 years, 6 months, 18 days
  • Sebastian Vettel (Italy, 2008) — 21 years, 2 months, 11 days
  • Charles Leclerc (Bahrain 2019) — 21 years, 5 months, 15 days
  • Fernando Alonso (Malaysia, 2003) — 21 years, 7 months, 23 days
  • Max Verstappen (Hungary 2019) — 21 years, 10 months, 5 days

Most wins by a teenager

There have only ever been two drivers to win a Formula 1 grand prix as a teenager. 

Max Verstappen claimed his maiden victory in Spain, 2016, as an 18-year-old — still the youngest driver to ever win a grand prix. 

Two F1 drivers talk after a race before the interviews on track

Max Verstappen (left) and Kimi Antonelli (right) are the only two drivers to win an F1 grand prix as teenagers. (Getty Images: Formula 1/Bryn Lennon)

That would be Verstappen's only win as a teenager. Kimi Antonelli secured six wins this season before his 20th birthday, setting a new mark for most races won as a teenager.

  • Kimi Antonelli — 6
  • Max Verstappen — 1

Most wins by an Italian driver in a single season

Few nations have contributed more to Formula 1 than Italy. Ferrari is the sport's most famous and successful team, and Monza is one of the world's great racetracks.

But success for Italian drivers has been few and far between.

Kimi Antonelli has become the third Italian to win the drivers' championship, and the first since 1953. Antonelli's nine wins so far this season are the most ever by an Italian in a season, beating the previous mark of six set by Alberto Ascari during his 1952 championship season. 

The 1952 season only had eight races, and Ascari won the final six.

  • Kimi Antonelli (2026) — 9
  • Alberto Ascari (1952) — 6
  • Alberto Ascari (1953) — 5
  • Nino Farina (1950) — 3
  • Michele Alboreto (1985), Riccardo Patrese (1991) — 2

Source: ABC Australia · Michael Doyle

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