I’m proud of him: Drivers congratulate Kimi Antonelli on winning the title

It will take Kimi Antonelli several days to read and reply to all the congratulatory messages, posts and comments. Even his biggest rivals on track have showered him with praise. Nobody missed the opportunity to congratulate the newly crowned world champion, whether through the media or in person.

Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton were among the first to congratulate Kimi Antonelli in front of the podium. “It’s incredible of course what a season he had. And, you know, to do that also at such an age, I think it’s just really, really impressive,” said the Dutch champion, who moved up to second in the drivers’ championship with his victory in Mexico. “It’s amazing to see the whole team of course celebrating with him. His family is here as well. So I’m sure this is a very emotional day for him and I’m very proud of him.”

Hamilton: I’m grateful I was there for that

Mercedes chose the right successor to Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli inherited virtually his entire engineering crew. The mechanics, engineers and factory staff played a huge part in this title, but Antonelli himself had to finish the job.

Hamilton spoke of the “phenomenal” achievement of the boy whose hand he shook at the 2018 Italian Grand Prix. Antonelli was among the children taking part in the Grid Kids programme. “Well, I mean, firstly to see Kimi’s journey, to see him as an image of him on the grid, to be in the background when I was in the office, Mercedes, working with Bono and Shov and all the team.”

“To then leave a note on my wall where he takes my room,” recalled Hamilton, who wanted the message on the wall to emphasise that Antonelli was taking over a team full of fantastic people: “If you care for them, they’ll care for you because they’re a great team.”

“To see him thrive and do it with a smile and such humility and with grace. It’s really great to see,” Hamilton continued, speaking to Sky Sports. “And to be up there with him today, firstly to see the team, I got a big hug from Bono, and I got to see all my old guys so happy for them. You know, they do a phenomenal job and they deserve the championship this year.”

“And also Kimi’s family, who were always there. It’s really, really wholesome to see. And then to be on the podium with two champions is really cool. You know, I think that’s a moment that I’ll never forget. I’m grateful I was there for that,” added Hamilton.

Although Antonelli’s current team-mate George Russell left the circuit shortly after the chequered flag angry with his Mercedes machinery, he had no complaints about Kimi. He made a point of finding him to offer his congratulations in person.

He took every opportunity and avoided mistakes

Some will argue that Kimi Antonelli only won the title because he had the best chassis and power unit package. Yet Formula 1 history offers plenty of examples where even that was not enough for drivers far more experienced than Antonelli.

“Kimi deserves it completely, and honestly, he’s had a really good season,” said Carlos Sainz of Antonelli’s title. “Kimi deserves it completely, and honestly, he’s had a really good season. He’s seized his opportunity to become world champion in his second year in Formula 1. Many of us want a car that good in our early careers, and he’s had it. He’s had the chance to win a World Championship, and he’s done it this year, so he’s made the most of everything. He had a perfect first half of the year, he dominated, and then he controlled the second half, which is what a champion has to do.”

Lando Norris will hand over the trophy to Kimi Antonelli after the season. In a few months, it will be Antonelli we call the reigning world champion. “He’s had an incredible year! Made it look much easier than me,” he laughed, recalling a difficult 2025 campaign in which he often made life harder for himself, “but he’s been incredible. For his age, 20 years old, second season in F1, youngest world champion ever, that’s something pretty unbelievable!”

“I’m very happy for him cause he’s a nice guy. We always have a chat, we always get along, and i want him to do well, honestly. I look forward to many more racing with him in the future. He’s just had a perfect season. He’s driven unbelievable, and never really made any mistakes, so he deserves it more than anyone!” added the McLaren driver.

Oscar Piastri highlighted Antonelli’s dominance. “I don’t know if it’s necessarily been a championship battle. It’s just been a championship win. Earlier on it was a bit tougher,” said the 25-year-old Australian. “He’s done an incredible job. I think in his second season in F1 to accomplish what he’s accomplished this year is very, very impressive. Clearly Mercedes have done a good job around him, giving him the car to deliver, supporting him, and he’s done the business as well, so very impressive season.”

Charles Leclerc was another driver from the leading teams to congratulate Antonelli. “I’m obviously very happy for him. I consider myself young, but when I look at him he’s even younger, and to see his parents underneath the podium being so emotional is a beautiful image, so I’m very, very happy for him. I was trying to wait for him after the chequered flag, but I guess he was going very slow to celebrate as he should, and I’ll go and see him later, but it’s fully deserved. I mean, he didn’t put a step wrong since the beginning of the year.”

When Fernando Alonso won his first world title, Kimi Antonelli had not even been born, and when he celebrated his second, Kimi was two months old. The oldest driver in the paddock congratulated the youngest world champion in the mixed zone.

The leader of the new generation has been born.