Domenicali Sees Antonelli's Title as the Start of an Extraordinary F1 Legacy
Stefano Domenicali has described Kimi Antonelli's 2026 Formula 1 world championship victory as the beginning of an extraordinary legacy in the sport. The Formula 1 CEO delivered his tribute after the Mercedes driver secured the title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. At 20 years old, Antonelli also became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.
The achievement carries additional significance for Italy, as Antonelli became the first Italian driver to win the Formula 1 world championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953. His triumph ended a 73-year wait for the country to celebrate another world champion in the sport's premier single-seater category. Domenicali specifically highlighted this historic milestone, recognising that Antonelli's success represents not only an individual achievement but also an important moment for Italian motorsport.
"Today, Kimi Antonelli has made history. Becoming the youngest F1 world champion is an extraordinary achievement, earned through exceptional talent, courage and determination," said Domenicali.
Antonelli's journey to the world championship has also followed an accelerated development pathway. Mercedes signed him to its junior programme in 2019 before promoting him directly to Formula 2 in 2024, bypassing Formula 3 entirely. He subsequently secured a Formula 1 race seat with Mercedes in 2025. That progression provided the foundation for his rise to the top of the championship in 2026, marking a rapid transition from junior competition to world champion.
Domenicali also emphasised the significance of Antonelli's achievement for Italy, particularly after such a lengthy period without a Formula 1 world champion from the country. He expressed immense pride in seeing the 20-year-old return Italy to the top of the world championship, following the legacy established by Alberto Ascari more than seven decades ago.
"It fills me with immense pride to see Kimi become the first Italian Formula 1 world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. For 73 years, our country has waited for this moment, and today an entire nation will celebrate one of its own reaching the very pinnacle of our sport," Domenicali added.
Beyond the records and national significance, the Formula 1 CEO believes Antonelli's championship could have a broader influence on younger generations. Domenicali argued that sporting greatness should not be measured solely by records but also by the people an achievement inspires. Antonelli has captured the attention of millions of fans worldwide, demonstrating how dedication, belief and hard work can create opportunities to reach the highest level of competition.
"Greatness is measured not only by records, but by the generations it inspires. Kimi has captured the imagination of millions of fans around the world and shown young people everywhere that there are no limits to what can be achieved through dedication, belief and hard work," he said.
Domenicali concluded his tribute by placing Antonelli's championship in a wider historical context, describing the Italian as a new addition to the legends of Formula 1. His comments also underlined the significance of the achievement beyond the youngest-champion record, with the 2026 title marking what could become the foundation of a lasting legacy in the sport.
"Today, his name joins the legends of our sport. A new chapter in F1 history has been written, and I firmly believe this is only the beginning of an extraordinary legacy," Domenicali said.
He also congratulated Antonelli, Mercedes and the driver's family on the historic achievement, with the entire Formula 1 community joining the celebrations. Following his title-clinching result in Mexico City, attention will now turn to the remaining stages of the 2026 season and the next chapter of Antonelli's career as the youngest world champion in the history of the championship.
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Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 F1 title as its youngest champion after finishing third in Mexico, while Max Verstappen claimed a dramatic race win.
Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 F1 world championship after the Mexico City GP, while Max Verstappen moved up to second in the drivers' standings.
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