Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 world champion with four races to spare
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver clinched the 2026 title, and commentators say his season was one of the most dominant in years.
Key facts
Story- Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 F1 world championship, becoming the youngest world champion in the sport's history.
- He secured the title with four races remaining in the season.
- Commentator Palmer highlighted his Monza podium, where Antonelli became Italy's first home winner in 60 years.
Kimi Antonelli has won the 2026 Formula 1 world championship. At 20, he is the youngest driver ever to win the title. He clinched it with four races still left in the season.
The title came after a season that few had expected. Palmer wrote that few would have predicted the year would play out this way. Palmer said Antonelli was never overawed and remained a podium threat even on his toughest days.
Palmer picked out two images that he said capture the season. The first is Antonelli celebrating on the podium at Monza, in front of a loud crowd. His win there made him the first Italian home winner at the race in 60 years.
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Palmer has not described the second image in detail. His column names the Monza celebration as the moment that stood out most to him.
Antonelli's rise has been closely watched. Before this season, he faced doubts about his ability to win a championship. His first title has now silenced those doubters.
His title makes him the youngest world champion in F1 history. The record had stood as a benchmark for young drivers in the sport.
Antonelli has spoken publicly for the first time since securing the title. Formula 1 has four races left in the 2026 season, though the title is already decided. It is not yet known what Antonelli's plans are for the remaining rounds or for 2027.
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