‘Just the beginning’ for Antonelli, F1’s prodigious, charismatic new king
Kimi Antonelli, F1’s youngest world champion at 20, has become the life and soul of the paddock with his personality.
Kimi Antonelli has sparked affectionate tributes from all quarters of the Formula One paddock after becoming the sport’s youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old Italian finished third for Mercedes on Sunday behind Red Bull’s four-time champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton – who then hoisted him aloft as a carnival of celebrations began.
“It’s a very special day,” said Antonelli’s race engineer Peter ‘Bono’ Bonnington, who has worked with seven-time champions Michael Schumacher and Hamilton and regards the new champion – Italy’s first since 1953 – as another generational talent.
“He’s incredibly impressive and deserves to be world champion,” said the Englishman, whose record of seven world titles may one day come under threat from his protege.