Italian racer Antonelli becomes youngest ever F1 champion

Italian Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli became the youngest leader in Formula 1 history following his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix.

According to Western media, Antonelli achieved the milestone at just 19 years and 216 days old.

Antonelli had been lucky with the timing of a safety car affording him a free pit stop after Britain’s Oliver Bearman suffered a major crash from which he was lucky to emerge from his Haas car largely uninjured. Having already come back after dropping to sixth from pole when the lights went out, once the Italian had the lead he was all but untouchable and completed another consummate victory, his second in a row.

The previous record was held by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, who currently races for Ferrari. Hamilton first led the championship during his debut season with McLaren in 2007 at 22 years and 126 days old.

Antonelli now tops the drivers’ standings with 72 points. He is followed by his Mercedes teammate George Russell with 63 points, while Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc ranks third with 49 points.