Kimi Antonelli cherishes ‘a day I will remember forever’ as he makes F1 history

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in F1 history (Bradley Collyer/PA)

Kimi Antonelli cherished a “day I will remember forever” as he claimed his place in history as Formula One’s youngest world champion.

Aged just 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli’s extraordinary march to the crown in his second season in the sport was completed under the Mexico City sun.

He needed to finish only ninth to secure the crown and showed composure beyond his years to navigate a chaotic race, coming home third to become the first Italian champion since 1953.

A tearful Antonelli roared “we did it” over the radio before pulling up his Mercedes in the middle of the raucous Foro Sol Stadium, jumping out of the car and into the arms of his jubilant parents and younger sister Maggie.

Antonelli joined Mercedes as a 12-year-old and the Silver Arrows’ protege, long-since lauded as a generational talent, realised his destiny by sealing a stunning championship win with four rounds remaining.

Mercedes boss Toto Wolff greeted Antonelli with a huge bear hug.

“I would not be here without Mercedes or my family. I am speechless, trying to process what just happened,” Antonelli said.

“A day I will remember forever. So grateful, thank you so much. I am going to enjoy every bit.”

The race was won by Max Verstappen, with Lewis Hamilton second, meaning Antonelli shared the podium with two men who have 11 world championships between them.

There was a fitting moment as F1’s newest champion found himself on the shoulders of giants, Hamilton and Verstappen holding the young Italian aloft on the podium.

“I’m going to out with my family, friends and the team and we’re just going to enjoy all the way because this is a very special moment and one we will remember forever,” Antonelli added.

After a debut season where Antonelli struggled, even raising doubts as to whether he would complete it, few would have backed him to storm to the championship in the manner he has.

Father Marco, himself a former racing driver, has been by Kimi’s side throughout and thanked Mercedes for believing in his son.

“It’s unbelievable because after one year in Formula One with a lot of difficulties, arriving at this point and winning the title, there are no words to explain my satisfaction,” he told Sky Sports.

“It is very good for Mercedes as well because they believed in Kimi. It’s the best thank you Kimi can give to Mercedes for believing in him.”