Antonelli: I couldn’t see through my tears on title-clinching lap — SkimNews
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- Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 F1 Drivers' Championship by finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest title winner at 20 years and 68 days
- Antonelli revealed he was crying during the final laps, saying tears blurred his vision and cost him time, as emotions overwhelmed him ahead of crossing the finish line
- Max Verstappen won the Mexico City GP, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second for Ferrari, setting the stage for Antonelli’s podium celebration with two F1 legends
- Antonelli became the third Italian to win the F1 Drivers' Championship and the first since Alberto Ascari in 1953, marking a historic moment for Italian motorsport
- Antonelli credited his father Marco, who attended nearly every race, and Mercedes, which supported him since age 11, for their sacrifices and belief throughout his career
- Verstappen and Hamilton lifted Antonelli on the podium as Italian songs 'Nessun Dorma' and 'Sarà, perché ti amo' played, a tribute that moved Antonelli as he remembered his late grandfather
Why it matters: Antonelli’s championship redefines F1’s generational shift, breaking a record held by Vettel by over three years and highlighting Mercedes’ long-term investment in youth. The emotional resonance—family, legacy, and tribute—elevates the moment beyond sport, anchoring it in personal and national significance.
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