Fast and funny, Antonelli becomes Formula One's youngest king

MEXICO CITY, Mexico —  Twenty-year-old Kimi Antonelli ripped up the record books to become the youngest Formula One champion on Sunday in Mexico, emphasising his domination by collecting the title with four races still scheduled for the season. The young Italian finished third, following two great champions Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton across the line, to put himself clear of Mercedes teammate George Russell and seven-time world champion Hamilton, the only ones who might possibly catch him. The fresh-faced prodigy, who was in tears as he crossed the line, has brought a breath of fresh air to the paddock, which he has completely won over with his performances and personality, as he became the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari 73 years ago. At 20 years and 68 days old, he is by far the youngest ever champion: the previous record holder Sebastian Vettel was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010. Flung into Formula One in 2025 at just 18, he has dazzled in his second season. His Mercedes team has dominated but the Italian has emphatically outperformed his British team-mate Russell. After finishing second to Russell in the opener in Australia, Antonelli won the next...