Since arriving in Formula 1 with Mercedes in 2025, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has been rewriting the history books at a remarkable pace — and he shows no signs of stopping.
Following the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli secured back-to-back victories and, with them, became the youngest Drivers' Championship leader in the history of Formula 1. The records, at this point, are almost too numerous to count — and they span both his debut season and his extraordinary start to 2026.
His consecutive wins in China and Japan also delivered a piece of history for Italian motorsport: for the first time in 73 years, Italy has produced two consecutive Formula 1 Grand Prix winners. The last time it happened was in 1953, with Giuseppe Farina winning the German Grand Prix and Alberto Ascari triumphing in Switzerland. Antonelli has now joined that exclusive lineage.
He is also only the third driver this century to win the race immediately after his maiden victory — joining Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in that select group.
The record-breaking began even before the first chequered flag of 2026. At the Chinese Grand Prix, Antonelli claimed pole position, becoming the youngest polesitter in the entire history of Formula 1. He then converted that pole into victory, making him the youngest driver ever to achieve that feat — and the second-youngest race winner of all time, behind only Max Verstappen. That win also ended a 20-year drought for Italian drivers in Formula 1, with the last Italian victory having come back in 2006.
The records from his debut season in 2025 are equally striking. Antonelli finished seventh in the Drivers' Championship with 150 points, a tally that included a pole position and a Sprint Race podium. He also surpassed Lewis Hamilton's previous benchmark for the most points scored in a complete season by a rookie. On top of that, he became the youngest driver ever to take pole in any session format, to lead a race lap, and to set the fastest lap.
How long does Kimi Antonelli have left on his Mercedes contract?
Antonelli received a contract extension with Mercedes despite considerable speculation surrounding his future following his first season in Formula 1. The German manufacturer announced that the Italian prodigy will continue with the team for the 2026 World Championship, with George Russell remaining as his teammate.
That means Antonelli is contracted to Mercedes at least through the end of 2026. The one-year extension is a clear statement of intent from Toto Wolff and the broader Mercedes organisation, reaffirming their confidence in a driver they believe is only just beginning to fulfil his enormous potential.
His continuation had been called into question following a series of difficult results in 2025 and persistent rumours linking Max Verstappen to a seat at the Silver Arrows. Mercedes' decision to extend Antonelli's deal, however, put those stories firmly to rest.