With a victory Sunday at the Japanese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli became the youngest championship leader in Formula 1 history.
The 19-year-old Italian took the lead in the standings with 72 points, overtaking fellow Mercedes driver George Russell, 28, who sits second with 63 points after finishing fourth on Sunday.
Antonelli is so young he was denied the customary Champagne at the podium celebration for being under Japan’s legal drinking age of 20. Instead he was given an unlabeled bottle that announcers speculated was sparkling water.
“It feels pretty good,” Antonelli said after the race, although with only three out of 22 races completed in the 2026 season, he added he’s not overinterpreting it.
“I’m not thinking too much about the championship. Of course it’s great, but it’s still a long way to go,” Antonelli said. “Need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he’s going
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