Sebastian Vettel has delivered a heartfelt message to Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix, breaking a record the German had held since 2010. The four-time world champion congratulated the 20-year-old Italian in a special video released by Formula 1, sharing personal memories of his own championship triumph and offering advice about how success can change the way others perceive him.
It was a symbolic passing of the torch from one of Formula 1’s most successful drivers to its newest world champion. Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s achievement in Mexico was remarkable not only because he secured his maiden world title, but because he did so at an age no other driver in the sport’s history had managed.
Kimi Antonelli breaks Sebastian Vettel’s youngest F1 world champion record
Andrea Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1 world champion at just 20 years and 68 days old, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record by almost three years. The German had previously become the youngest Drivers’ World Champion when he secured the first of his four titles at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Sebastian Vettel was 23 years and 135 days old when he achieved that milestone, beating the previous record established by Lewis Hamilton in 2008 by 166 days. His achievement remained unmatched for 16 years, until Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s historic world championship victory in Mexico City.
The Italian’s new record could prove particularly difficult to surpass. Any driver hoping to beat it would likely need to win the championship during their first or second Formula 1 season, depending on their date of birth and when the title was secured.
Following Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s triumph, Formula 1 released a video in which Sebastian Vettel symbolically handed over the record to its new holder. The former BMW, Toro Rosso, Red Bull, Ferrari and Aston Martin driver offered a warm tribute to the Mercedes youngster.
Sebastian Vettel praises Kimi Antonelli’s talent and maturity
“Kimi, congratulations! World Champion. Wow! Only a few of us have managed to achieve it, and none of us managed to do it at the age you have,” Sebastian Vettel began.
The four-time world champion went on to praise the qualities Andrea Kimi Antonelli had demonstrated throughout his championship-winning campaign, highlighting his willingness to learn, confidence behind the wheel and ability to understand what was within his control.
“You’re curious, you listen and you learn quickly. You’re not afraid. Your driving has been clean and controlled. Yes, on the limit when you needed to be. You’ve understood that you can only control what you can control.”
“You have a unique driving style, and we love watching you.”
Sebastian Vettel recalls the emotions of his first Formula 1 world title
Sebastian Vettel then reflected on his own experience of becoming world champion for the first time, recalling the overwhelming emotions he experienced after crossing the finish line at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
“When I won my first world title, everything happened when I crossed the finish line. I was overwhelmed with emotion. I got out of the car, and the world around me was moving incredibly fast. It felt as though everything was a race.”
“It was impossible to find time to reflect. I didn’t sleep well for several days, so be prepared.”
The former Ferrari driver explained that the full significance of his achievement only became clear when he held the championship trophy and saw the names of the drivers who had won it before him.
“But I remember the feeling once I realised what I had achieved by winning the world title. Holding the trophy in my hands and reading all the names of the champions before me, I felt proud and satisfied.”
For Sebastian Vettel, however, the most important lesson was that the journey towards a championship mattered more than the single moment in which the title was decided.
“I realised that the best part wasn’t crossing the finish line when I won the title, but all the races that had brought me to that point. It’s never just one race that matters, but all the races we compete in. Every race shapes you.”
His reflections offered Andrea Kimi Antonelli a perspective on an achievement that had already prompted an emotional reaction from the new Formula 1 world champion.
Vettel offers Kimi Antonelli important advice about fame and success
Looking ahead to the weeks following Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s championship triumph, Sebastian Vettel predicted that the young Italian would soon feel the desire to return to racing despite having just achieved the sport’s ultimate individual prize.
“With everything that’s going to happen over the next few weeks, I’m sure you’ll soon feel the need to race again. Because, looking at the bigger picture, there’s always another race to win.”
The German concluded his message with a personal warning about how becoming world champion could change the way people treated Andrea Kimi Antonelli. His advice was to remain the same person regardless of the recognition and attention that would follow.
“Finally, one little warning. Great achievements can change the way people look at you. But you mustn’t change the way you look at people.”
“Now go ahead and enjoy the title. A big hug. Sebastian. Ciao!”
The message brought together two generations of Formula 1 champions, with Sebastian Vettel acknowledging the extraordinary achievement of a driver who had surpassed his record. For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the congratulations also came with a reminder from someone who had experienced the same success: winning a world championship changes a driver’s place in the sport, but it does not have to change the person behind the wheel.
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