The Mercedes driver secured the 2026 title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, becoming the first Italian to win the championship in 73 years.
"I could never have done this without my team and my family, so a massive thank you to them," Antonelli said. "I will remember this for the rest of my life. This season has been truly incredible, and sharing this title with Max and Lewis makes this moment even more special. I am so happy we can enjoy it for the rest of the season."
Italian champion needed only ninth place to guarantee the title, regardless of the results of his closest rivals. However, he went on to finish on the podium, behind race winner Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari.
The result saw Antonelli break the previous age record held by Germany’s Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 when he won his first world championship in 2010.
Born in Bologna, Antonelli has enjoyed an outstanding 2026 season, recording nine race victories and 16 podium finishes in the first 19 rounds of the championship.
His success marks a remarkable achievement for the young driver, who joined Mercedes as a replacement for seven-time world champion Hamilton ahead of the 2025 season.
Antonelli’s championship victory also ended a 73-year wait for an Italian Formula One world champion. The last driver from Italy before him to claim the title was Alberto Ascari, who won his second consecutive championship in 1953.
(pg/gs)