Andrea Kimi Antonelli has revealed the extraordinary emotions behind his first Formula 1 world championship triumph, admitting that he was crying so heavily on the final lap of the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix that he could barely see the two Ferraris ahead of him. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver has achieved the dream he pursued throughout his childhood, but he is already looking beyond his maiden title, determined to leave a lasting mark on Formula 1 history.
Antonelli’s victory in the championship was accompanied by tears, intense pressure, family memories and a deeply personal celebration. After overcoming a difficult weekend in Mexico, the Italian reflected on the decisive moments of his season, the challenges that shaped his development and the advice from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff that has reinforced his ambition to achieve much more.
Kimi Antonelli reveals tears and fear of crashing on final lap of Mexico GP
With just one lap remaining, Andrea Kimi Antonelli began to cry. His vision became blurred, he could barely make out the two Ferrari cars ahead of him, and memories of a lifetime spent chasing his dream flashed through his mind. It was at that moment that the Mercedes driver began to comprehend that he was about to become Formula 1 world champion.
“I probably lost two seconds because I was already crying. I couldn’t see clearly ahead of me. I could only make out the two cars in front through my tears. I told myself it was better to slow down, otherwise I risked having an accident.”
At 8:30 pm at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, Antonelli had taken a refreshing shower and changed into a T-shirt celebrating his newly won championship. Across the chest was his name, “Kimi”, accompanied by words that would have seemed almost unimaginable a year earlier: “2026 Driver’s World Champion”.
“I’m slowly beginning to realise what I’ve done. I think that after Brazil, when I return home, I’ll truly understand what has happened.”
Speaking at length after the Mexican Grand Prix, the Italian alternated between smiles, jokes and moments of profound emotion. He recalled the tension of the preceding days, memories involving his family, the difficulties he experienced in 2025 and the magnitude of what he had achieved. Above all, however, he spoke about the future, revealing ambitions that extend far beyond a single world championship.
Kimi Antonelli admits F1 title pressure affected his Mexico qualifying
The Mexico City weekend was far from straightforward. Antonelli arrived having recently suffered from illness, but the greatest challenge proved to be psychological pressure as the possibility of securing the world championship became increasingly real.
“My goodness, this weekend has been agony! Finally, I don’t have to keep making superstitious gestures every time somebody congratulates me.”
Superstition had accompanied him throughout the build-up to the race, particularly as people repeatedly congratulated him on a championship that had not yet been secured.
“I kept hearing the same things over and over again. That’s just how I am: until it’s over, it’s not over. Constantly hearing congratulations made me realise how close I was to the World Championship, and I think that also affected my qualifying. In Austin, I had been much more aggressive and focused. Here, I was more tense and less incisive with my driving.”
That caution also influenced his approach to the race start. Rather than taking unnecessary risks, Antonelli left Max Verstappen plenty of room at the first corner.
“I was tense. In fact, at the first corner I left the door wide open for Max. I practically said to him: ‘Go on, go right ahead!'”
As the race progressed, Antonelli gradually rediscovered his rhythm and his desire to attack. A red flag wiped out the strategic advantage he had built through an extremely long stint on soft tyres, but the Italian subsequently decided to take greater risks and secured a podium finish that he will treasure throughout his career.
The podium celebrations produced another unforgettable image, with Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen lifting the newly crowned champion onto their shoulders.
“I’m going to have that photo framed and hang it on the wall at home. Receiving so much respect from two drivers who have made history in our sport is something incredible.”
Suzuka, Monza and Spa: the victories that shaped Antonelli’s F1 championship
Although the final championship outcome might suggest an uncomplicated campaign, Andrea Kimi Antonelli emphasised that his journey to the title had been anything but straightforward. He identified Suzuka as the first major turning point, when victory gave him the championship lead.
Following the Monaco Grand Prix, the Italian began to believe seriously that becoming world champion was possible. However, two consecutive retirements caused by technical problems forced him to adopt a more cautious outlook.
The decisive change in his mentality came at Monza, where a victory from the back of the grid transformed his understanding of what he could achieve.
“I was starting from the back of the grid and I knew it would be a crucial race. I had already prepared myself for the possibility of losing points, but instead I won. It was incredibly important, especially psychologically. From that moment, I told myself: now we have to go and win the World Championship. There’s nothing else to do.”
Antonelli also highlighted Spa among his most meaningful victories, although its importance extended well beyond the sporting result. At the Belgian circuit in 2025, he had experienced what he considers the lowest point of his career. Returning a year later and winning represented a deeply personal redemption.
“It was special to win at the very circuit where, the previous year, I had probably reached my lowest point.”
His determination was also strengthened by the criticism he received during his debut Formula 1 season. Some had questioned whether he was ready for the championship, particularly given the pressure associated with joining Mercedes at such a young age.
“There were people who said I wasn’t ready for Formula 1. And perhaps, at certain moments last year, it really did look that way. But those difficulties helped me grow much faster. Racing straight away for Mercedes, under the spotlight, forced me to mature as a driver and as a person.”
His remarkable development was evident in subsequent performances, including his crucial victory at the United States Grand Prix, which brought him closer to the title. The success in Austin, where race engineer Peter Bonnington played an important role, provided another milestone in a championship-winning campaign.
Family celebrations and emotional tribute to his grandfather
For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the championship was also the culmination of a journey shared with his family. His father, Marco Antonelli, had arrived in Mexico following a sporting disappointment involving his own racing team, leaving the young Mercedes driver particularly determined to give him something to celebrate.
“I saw that he was very sad and I told myself: now I have to make up for it.”
The presence of his relatives made the achievement even more emotional. They had arrived only on the eve of the race, following a journey organised specifically to ensure they could be there for the decisive day.
“My father has been fundamental. He’s come to practically every race despite his work. He’s always been the one who kept my feet on the ground after the good moments, but also the one who helped me when I was going through difficulties.”
Antonelli also reserved special thanks for Mercedes, which had decided to invest in his potential when he was just eleven years old. The team supported his development throughout his journey towards the highest level of Formula 1, ultimately helping him achieve his childhood ambition.
Another particularly moving moment came during the podium ceremony. When “Nessun dorma” began playing through the circuit’s speakers, Antonelli was overcome with emotion once again, remembering his grandfather.
“It was a song my grandfather always listened to. Hearing it at that moment was very special. I think he would have been proud of me.”
Even while recounting that memory afterwards, the newly crowned world champion struggled to hold back his tears.
Why Kimi Antonelli will keep number 12 instead of taking F1 champion’s number 1
Despite still coming to terms with the magnitude of his achievement, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has already begun considering the next stage of his Formula 1 career. One of his first decisions concerns his racing number: rather than adopting the number 1 available to the reigning world champion, he intends to continue using number 12.
“It helps me keep my feet on the ground. It’s a way of starting again and continuing to build. And I’m also very superstitious: whenever I’ve used number 1, things have always gone terribly for me!”
The decision reflects a broader conviction that winning the championship at 20 does not mean he has reached his full potential. Antonelli believes there are still numerous areas in which he can improve, despite already having secured Formula 1’s biggest prize.
“I still have so much to learn, so many situations in which I can improve. I haven’t reached my maximum yet. There’s a very long road ahead and every year you have to come back stronger.”
He also recognises that the next championship could present a different set of challenges. Mercedes’ superiority during the first part of the 2026 season gradually diminished, and Antonelli expects even more determined competition in the future, starting with his own team-mate George Russell.
Nevertheless, his objective remains unchanged: to continue winning and build on his first world championship rather than treating it as the pinnacle of his career.
Toto Wolff’s advice inspires Antonelli to leave a lasting legacy in Formula 1
One of the most influential messages Andrea Kimi Antonelli received came from Toto Wolff on the eve of the Mexican Grand Prix. The Mercedes team principal encouraged the young Italian to think beyond the immediate excitement of winning the title and focus instead on building a career that would remain significant for many years.
“Toto told me something very true. What he would like for me is to remain relevant for as long as possible. Because you don’t want to win one World Championship and then disappear. As a driver, as a sportsman, you want to leave your mark. You want to reach the end of your career, look back and have no regrets.”
That perspective captures the ambition of Formula 1’s new world champion. Antonelli has achieved the dream he pursued since childhood, but he does not appear to regard the championship as the end of his journey.
The joy of winning is overwhelming, and fully appreciating the significance of his achievement may take time. His intentions for the future, however, are already clear.
“It’s only the beginning. It has to be only the beginning.”
More news about Kimi Antonelli and Mercedes
- Kimi Antonelli’s ninth F1 victory boosts Italian television audiences at Austin
- George Russell reflects on difficult Austin race as Kimi Antonelli dominates
- Toto Wolff explains George Russell’s struggles against Kimi Antonelli
- Ferrari SF-26’s straight-line speed deficit to the Mercedes W17 at Austin
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