Mercedes star Kimi Antonelli has claimed the Formula 1 crown, so here's a refresher on the rise of the Bologna-born phenom.
Kimi Antonelli is Formula 1 world champion, and the Mercedes driver's rise has been one of the fastest the paddock has ever seen. Here is a quick refresher on the Italian who went from karting prodigy to the top of the sport.
Born in Bologna in August 2006, Antonelli was tipped for greatness early. He came through the karting ranks and was picked up by the Mercedes junior programme as a young teenager. Team boss Toto Wolff became one of his loudest supporters, and the team stayed patient with him as he moved up the ladder.
His path was far from standard. He raced in Italian F4 and Formula Regional, then jumped to Formula 2 and skipped F3 altogether. That was a gamble for a driver still so young, but it set up a leap to the top. Mercedes handed him the seat vacated by Lewis Hamilton for the 2025 season, one of the most pressure-heavy promotions in recent grid history.
He had a rookie year of highs and lows, with flashes of raw speed and the occasional costly mistake. He also took a podium in Canada. The talent was always obvious, and now it has the title to match.
For fans who have followed the story, the championship feels like the payoff to years of hype. For everyone else, it is the perfect moment to get to know the name that will be on the grid for years to come.
