‘Just the beginning’ for Antonelli, F1’s prodigious, charismatic new king

Kimi Antonelli has sparked affectionate tributes from all quarters of the Formula One paddock after becoming the sport’s youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix.The 20-year-old Italian finished third for Mercedes on Sunday behind Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton – who then hoisted him aloft as a carnival of celebrations began.Mercedes’s Kimi Antonelli celebrates with this team after finishing third in the race and clinching the 2026 Formula One World Championship [Daniel Becerril/Reuters]“It’s a very special day,” said Antonelli’s race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, who has worked with seven-time champions Michael Schumacher and Hamilton and regards the new champion – Italy’s first since 1953 – as another generational talent.Recommended Stories list of 4 itemslist 1 of 4Hamilton calls for Palestine and DR Congo freedom as Rwanda takes F1 spotlightlist 2 of 4Dakar Rally 2027 moved out of Saudi Arabia amid conflict in Middle Eastlist 3 of 4Mercedes no longer have the fastest car in F1, says leader Antonellilist 4 of 4F1 leader Kimi Antonelli wins Italian GP after epic charge from the backend of list“I feel ...