Vettel Sends Heartfelt Message as Antonelli Takes F1 Title

Key Takeaways

Antonelli Becomes the Youngest F1 World Champion

Kimi Antonelli is the youngest Formula 1 world champion ever, having secured the 2026 title at the age of 20. He took the crown by finishing P3 at the Mexico City Grand Prix, according to the source report.

The achievement came in only his second F1 season, after his debut in 2025. After round 16 of 23, the Mercedes driver already led the Drivers’ standings on 320 points, ahead of his team-mate George Russell on 236. In doing so he broke the record held by Sebastian Vettel, who had been the sport’s youngest champion until now.

What Vettel Said in His Video Letter

Vettel’s message was a personal video letter congratulating Antonelli and symbolically passing on the youngest-champion record. He shared it on social media under the line “From Seb, to Kimi”, with the words “Passing on love, advice, and the youngest-ever champion record”.

The former four-time world champion began by welcoming the Italian into a very small club. He then described what he had seen in Antonelli’s approach to the season, praising his curiosity, his willingness to listen and learn, and his fearlessness.

He also singled out the quality of Antonelli’s driving, calling it very clean and controlled, yet on the limit when it needed to be.

A Passing of the Torch Between Generations

The tribute connected two generations of champions, with the previous record holder personally welcoming Antonelli to the world champions’ club. The source describes it as more than an acknowledgment of a new champion.

It also highlighted the former Ferrari driver’s admiration for the calm and maturity Antonelli showed, qualities few would have expected from a 20-year-old. The sport chose to mark the historic title by linking the two drivers in this way.

Vettel Draws on His Own First Title

Vettel used his own first championship as the basis for his advice to Antonelli. Later in the video letter he recalled the overwhelming emotions of that first title and gave the Italian a personal insight into what it feels like.

He described how, after years of preparation, competition and sacrifice, it felt as though everything happened at the moment he crossed the finish line. The source text breaks off before the rest of his account, so no further detail is reported here.

What the Title Means for Antonelli and Mercedes

Antonelli’s title is a landmark for both the driver and Mercedes, who led the Constructors’ standings on 556 points after round 16, ahead of Ferrari on 405 and McLaren on 316. The championship caps a season in which the young Italian has combined speed with composure, as Vettel’s words underline.

For fans, the message is a reminder of how quickly the sport’s records can change hands. Follow the Mercedes story, or browse the Kimi Antonelli collection for display pieces celebrating the new champion.

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