Antonelli becomes F1’s youngest champion, more than three years younger than Vettel

Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 title with third place in Mexico City, becoming the sport’s youngest world champion at 20 years and 68 days.

Sebastian Vettel had held the record before Antonelli. Formula 1’s age list gives Vettel’s age at his first title in 2010 as 23 years and 133 days, while RacingNews365 gives 23 years and 134 days. Both figures put Vettel more than three years older than Antonelli.

Vettel ranks second on Formula 1’s age list. Lewis Hamilton won his first title in 2008 at 23 years and 300 days. Fernando Alonso was 24 years and 57 days old when he won his first championship in 2005, 16 days younger than Max Verstappen at his first title in 2021 (24 years and 73 days). The list places Alonso fourth and Verstappen fifth, matching their ages.

Antonelli had already taken pole and his maiden Grand Prix win in China earlier in 2026 while still a teenager. He won the title in only his second Formula 1 season.