Add StudioX as a preferred source on GoogleKimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula One history on Sunday, finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, according to DW News. He was 20 years and 68 days old.
Max Verstappen won the race and Lewis Hamilton was second. Antonelli is also the first Italian to win the championship since 1953.
Vettel’s record broken
The previous youngest champion was Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title in 2010 at age 23.
Antonelli started from fourth on the grid and needed to finish ninth or better to take the title whatever his rivals did. DW reports he had a relatively smooth run. The race was briefly stopped by a red flag around Lap 45 after Valtteri Bottas crashed.
Antonelli sealed the championship with four races still to run. He now has 380 points.
“Speechless” after the finish
“I’m speechless,” Antonelli said after the race, adding that he was still trying to process what had happened. His parents and sister were waiting to embrace him as he climbed out of the car, and his pit crew then mobbed him.
He called it an incredible season and said he was glad to share the podium with Verstappen and Hamilton. He said he looks forward to more battles with them in the future.
Antonelli said the emotion of the moment made the last lap difficult. He estimated he lost about two seconds because he could not see ahead, and thought he spotted two Ferraris. Memories flooded his mind, he said, and he let it all out after reaching one of his biggest dreams.
Fight for second and a doubtful finale
Verstappen, with 261 points, moved just ahead of Hamilton, who has 259. With the title decided, the two will be racing for second place in the standings for the rest of the season.
The win was Verstappen’s sixth at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
After Mexico, the calendar moves to Brazil and then Las Vegas. The final two races are scheduled for Qatar and Abu Dhabi. DW notes it is uncertain whether those two will go ahead, given the geopolitical instability in the region.
Source: DW News
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