Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, sealing the 2026 title with Mercedes at the age of 20. The Italian arrived at the Mexico City Grand Prix needing just two points to be crowned, whatever his main rivals Lewis Hamilton and George Russell managed, and a third-place finish made it official. Lando Norris, McLaren's 2025 world champion and the man whose crown now passes to Antonelli, was quick to defend his successor against the critics. "He's done an insane job," Norris said. "I feel like people are somehow not giving him enough credit for what he's achieved this year." The Briton pointed out that Antonelli had beaten a team-mate in Russell who has spent four or five times longer in the sport, while also taking the fight to Hamilton. He was equally blunt about claims that the Italian had faced little serious opposition. "They say, 'Oh, he's not had much competition' and everything, but that's because he just slapped his competition," Norris insisted.
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Norris was full of admiration for the Italian's triumph. "I think he's made it look an easy year, if you can make anything look easy nowadays," he said. "I think he's done an unbelievable job. Like incredible, incredible job." Speaking to Sky Sports F1, the McLaren driver went further. "He deserves it. He has been insane this year—and that's an understatement. Congrats to him. Especially at his age. Twenty is incredibly impressive." Norris also urged the 20-year-old to savour the moment. "So I'm very, very happy for him; he's a lovely, lovely guy. He deserves it an incredible amount, and I hope even though he's young, he goes out and celebrates it properly!" Antonelli's title ends Italy's 73-year wait for a Formula 1 world champion.
