Here is the thing, as Crash.net reports: Andrea Kimi Antonelli is a Formula 1 world champion. The Mercedes star sealed his first crown on Sunday after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, wrapping up the championship in just his second year in F1. It is a stunning milestone. He has etched his name in the history books as the first Italian to take the title since Alberto Ascari did it back in 1953, and he achieves the feat as the youngest driver to ever do so.
That success has prompted an outpouring of joy from the motorcycle racing world, with MotoGP legend Valentino Rossi leading the tributes in a video message shared by F1. Antonelli has spent plenty of time with the VR46 Riders Academy since stepping up to F1 last year, regularly training and racing at Valentino Rossi's ranch in Tavullia. For context, Rossi was already a five-time world champion in MotoGP when Antonelli was born in August of 2006. “Come on Kimi! World champion! We are all so proud of you; great job,” Rossi said in the video.
Ciao Kimi. It’s incredible: you are only 20 years old and becoming world champion,
The praise didn't stop there. Aprilia MotoGP star and close friend Marco Bezzecchi chimed in with his own message, saying, “Hi Kimi. Finally, you are world champion. A big hug, huge congratulations. You deserve it. Looking forward to seeing you. Forza Kimi!” The VR46 Racing team also shared a video celebrating the new champion, featuring Franco Morbidelli, who told him, “Congratulations Kimi. It’s been a wonderful year. You made us dream; you gave us so much joy. Great job!”
Fabio Di Giannantonio also stepped up to praise the young driver for how he handled the immense weight of the 2026 season. “Ciao Kimi. It’s incredible: you are only 20 years old and becoming world champion,” Di Giannantonio said, highlighting his ability to manage the pressure and his victories to become number one in the world, calling him a big inspiration.
Now, the newly crowned champion still has business to attend to on track, with four races left in 2026. The action starts this weekend in Brazil, followed by the planned Las Vegas/Qatar/Abu Dhabi triple-header to round out the campaign. However, ongoing uncertainty around racing in the Middle East may mean Antonelli will conclude his title-winning season on home soil at Imola at the start of December.
MotoGP
MotoGP
