Kimi Antonelli clinches 2026 F1 world title in Mexico with 4 races left By Luís Henrique Costa
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Kimi Antonelli, a 20-year-old Italian driver for Mercedes, sealed the 2026 Formula 1 world drivers’ championship on Sunday, November 1, 2026, by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He became the youngest driver in the sport’s history to win the title and the first Italian champion in 73 years.
The title arrived four races before the season ends. Before Mexico, Antonelli had won the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday (25) and needed only two points at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez to be crowned. Max Verstappen won the Mexican race ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
Before the race, Antonelli told a Swiss newspaper that he planned to keep the number 12 the following season, even as champion. “First, I need to finish my job in Mexico. But I think that when I reach my goal, I will keep racing with the number 12,” he said.
The number 12 that followed Antonelli from karting to F1
The number has stayed with Antonelli since his junior categories. He used the 12 when winning the Formula 4 championships of Italy and Germany in 2022, and again in his Formula 1 debut in 2025.
The choice also pays tribute to Ayrton Senna, who raced with number 12 from 1985 to 1988 and won his first world title with it in 1988. The figure also matches the age at which Antonelli joined Mercedes‘ junior driver programme.
Antonelli went into the Mexican round at the top of the table, ahead of his Mercedes teammate. The other points leaders before the race were the Ferrari, Red Bull and Ferrari drivers listed below.
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 365 points
- George Russell (Mercedes): 242 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 241 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 236 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 233 points
The FIA, the sport’s governing body, allows the champion to use number 1 but does not require it. Lewis Hamilton kept number 44 after the permanent numbering began in 2014, including in seasons after his titles when he could have switched. Lando Norris has used number 1 since winning the 2025 title.
Brazil’s only driver on the grid, Gabriel Bortoleto, finishes outside the points
The race was stopped by a red flag after a crash involving Valtteri Bottas, and five other drivers retired, including both Aston Martin cars. Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc in the closing stage to secure the third place that gave him the title.
The top finishers and their gaps were recorded as follows.
- 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2nd: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), +0.799
- 3rd: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), +4.006
- 4th: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), +10.707
- 11th: Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), +22.041
The next stop is the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos, in São Paulo. Free practice begins on Friday (6), and qualifying is set for Saturday, November 7, at 15:00 Brasília time. The race takes place on Sunday, November 8, at 14:00 Brasília time.
