Andrea Kimi Antonelli has sent an emotional video message to Mercedes employees at Brackley and Brixworth following his historic 2026 Formula 1 world championship victory in Mexico. Unable to celebrate with the factory staff in person because of the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix, the 20-year-old Italian thanked everyone who contributed to his success, promising that he would be forever grateful for their efforts.
The heartfelt tribute was shown on large screens at Mercedes’ headquarters on Lauda Drive, with James Allison also delivering an emotional message about the new world champion. The Mercedes technical director praised Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s character and the joy he takes from racing, describing him as a young man living his dream.
Kimi Antonelli brings Mercedes back to the top of Formula 1
It took a 20-year-old Italian driver to return Mercedes to the top of the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship, six years after Lewis Hamilton secured the team’s previous title in 2020.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli claimed the first world championship of his career at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but a significant share of the credit also belongs to the Mercedes team that developed the W17, which has proved to be the strongest car overall during the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The Italian secured the championship mathematically with his third-place finish in Mexico, sparking celebrations across Mercedes’ two British facilities in Brackley and Brixworth. The result marked the culmination of years of work by the employees responsible for developing the car and power unit.
However, with the Brazilian Grand Prix approaching, Andrea Kimi Antonelli and the rest of the trackside team were unable to return immediately to England to celebrate alongside their colleagues.
The championship triumph had already prompted an emotional reaction from Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who reflected on the achievement after becoming the new Formula 1 world champion.
Kimi Antonelli sends emotional thank-you message to Mercedes factory staff
Determined to recognise the contribution made by everyone behind the scenes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli recorded a special video message for Mercedes employees. The recording was played on the large screens at Lauda Drive, the road in Brackley named in honour of three-time Formula 1 world champion Niki Lauda, where the team’s headquarters are located.
Visibly emotional, the young Italian made it clear that his championship victory would not have been possible without the people working at Mercedes’ factories.
“Every single one of you has played a fundamental role in helping me achieve this result, and I will always and forever be grateful to you for everything you’ve done. You’re the ones who made this possible, so thank you so much,” Andrea Kimi Antonelli said.
The message allowed the new champion to share the occasion with the people who had contributed to his success, even though he could not be present in person. It also reflected the importance of the collective effort behind Mercedes’ return to the top of Formula 1.
James Allison delivers heartfelt tribute to Kimi Antonelli
One of the most touching moments of the celebrations came from James Allison, a long-serving senior technical figure at Mercedes, who introduced Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s video message to the factory staff.
James Allison spoke warmly about the young champion, expressing his admiration not only for his extraordinary achievement but also for the enthusiasm and enjoyment he brings to his work.
“How can you not love that kid? To someone of my age, he really does seem like a little boy,” James Allison said.
“A young lad who is living a waking dream and enjoying the pure thrill of the job he has earned the right to do, and which he does with such tremendous skill.”
The Mercedes technical director concluded by expressing his happiness at seeing Andrea Kimi Antonelli secure his maiden world championship.
“I’m so happy, so happy to have seen him win this championship with such style.”
James Allison’s words added a personal dimension to the celebrations at Brackley, highlighting the affection the young Italian has earned within the Mercedes organisation.
The achievement also represents an important moment for the team’s leadership, with Toto Wolff praising Andrea Kimi Antonelli following his championship triumph.
Mercedes shares Kimi Antonelli’s tribute to Lauda Drive
Mercedes also shared the touching moment through its official social media account, allowing supporters to see the message delivered to employees in Brackley.
The team accompanied the video with a celebratory message: “Grande Kimi, from all of us,” followed by a description of the recording as a heartfelt message from the new champion to Lauda Drive.
The official Mercedes video message captured the emotion surrounding a title victory that Andrea Kimi Antonelli was determined to share with everyone who had helped make it possible.
For the Italian driver, the Mexican Grand Prix was the moment he achieved his childhood ambition of becoming Formula 1 world champion. For the men and women working at Brackley and Brixworth, it was also a celebration of the years of effort that had helped Mercedes return to the summit of the sport.
Although the upcoming Brazilian Grand Prix prevented an immediate reunion, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s message ensured that those behind the scenes were included in the celebrations of his first world championship.
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