Kimi Antonelli Wins F1 Title

What happened

Updated 10:57am ET

Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Formula One drivers’ championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Bologna announced it would award Antonelli its Nettuno d’Oro civic honor after Casalecchio celebrated with more than 500 people watching. The title made the 20-year-old the sport’s youngest champion and Italy’s first since Alberto Ascari in 1953. It also capped a sharp turnaround after a difficult rookie season, when Mercedes teammate George Russell had been favored. Antonelli won nine races, then finished third in Mexico City to put the title out of reach with four races left. Over team radio, he said, “We did it,” then thanked Mercedes and his family. Antonelli said he expects battles with Verstappen and Hamilton.

How the left told it

Left-leaning outlets framed Antonelli’s title as a national milestone, an emotional family moment and proof of rare maturity. CNN emphasized the end of Italy’s long wait for another champion. The Guardian lingered on his close family bonds while casting him as unusually skilled and composed for his stage.