Max Verstappen (left) and Lewis Hamilton (right) lift Andrea Kimi Antonelli after he clinches the 2026 Formula One title with third place in the Mexico City GP. (EPA Images pic)PARIS: When the season started few gave thought to the possibility that Kimi Antonelli, in just his second season behind the wheel of the Mercedes in Formula One, would emerge as the youngest world champion in the 76-year history of the sport.
AFP Sport picks out six races that defined the 20-year-old's rise to the top step of the podium.
After following teammate George Russell over the finish line in the season-opener in Australia, Antonelli turned some heads in the next race in Shanghai.
Not only did he become the youngest driver ever to take pole position but Antonelli, still only 19, went on to win his first grand prix, becoming the second youngest F1 winner behind Max Verstappen.
