Kimi Antonelli wins F1 title at 20

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula One world champion on Sunday at age 20. He also became the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Antonelli finished third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, a result that secured the championship for him in the overall season ranking. Max Verstappen won the race in Mexico.

Celebrations began immediately in Casalecchio, the town near Bologna where Antonelli grew up. More than 500 residents gathered at a local theater on Sunday to watch the race. Mayor Matteo Ruggeri told the news agency ANSA that a proper welcome awaits the driver as soon as his racing schedule allows him to return home.

The victory has sparked national pride across Italy. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the 20-year-old as a source of national pride. Tennis star Jannik Sinner and other major athletes posted congratulations on social media. The city of Bologna is also preparing a tribute. Mayor Matteo Lepore announced that Antonelli will receive the city’s Nettuno d'Oro civic honor. Lepore praised the racer’s talent and determination for bringing the title home after 73 years.

Antonelli drives for Mercedes, a team that has a different identity from the Ferrari brand often associated with Italian racing. He shared the podium in Mexico with Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. Hamilton is the seven-time champion who previously drove for the Mercedes team.

In Casalecchio, the connection to the new champion is personal. Mayor Ruggeri noted that locals remember the Antonelli family’s auto garage. He recalled seeing a younger Kimi walking to school and playing cards with his grandfather. Ruggeri summed up the local sentiment with a simple statement: "Kimi is one of us."