Kimi Antonelli’s back to back wins at the Chinese and Japanese Grand Prix has put him at the top of the championship. At 19 years, 7 months, and 4 days, he has become the youngest championship winner in F1 history, taking the spot from Lewis Hamilton.

After winning his first race at the Chinese Grand Prix the previous round, the Italian has officially surpassed his teammate George Russell in the championship. Mercedes have been dominating for the first three rounds with the new regulations.

Antonelli was on pole for the race, but did not have the best start, dropping to sixth on the opening lap. As the McLaren and Ferrari drivers pit, Antonelli was able to make his way back up, but that could only do so much as he still needed to pit.

A crucial moment came when Ollie Bearman had a heavy crash which brought out a safety car which allowed Antonelli, who was in the lead after Russell pitted just before the safety car, to make a pit stop and maintain the lead. 

Antonelli won the race 14 seconds ahead of Oscar Piastri, who was in second. George Russell had some struggles in the race and finished in only fourth place, giving way for Antonelli to lead the championship by nine points.

Before Antonelli, Lewis Hamilton held the record for the youngest championship leader, set during his rookie season in 2007. Hamilton was 22 years, 4 months, and 6 days when he set the record. It was four races into the season at the Barcelona Grand Prix when the rookie Lewis Hamilton finished in second place, putting him two points ahead of his then teammate, Fernando Alonso. 

Bruce McLaren is another iconic driver that held the title for youngest championship leader. In 1960, Bruce McLaren won the season opener in Argentina at 22 years, 5 months, and 8 days. Bruce McLaren would hold the record for 47 years before Lewis Hamilton would take the spot with the team Bruce McLaren founded.

Kimi Raikkonen is the fourth-youngest championship leader. In 2003, Raikkonen won the second round in Malaysia at the age of 23 years, 5 months, and 6 days. He would go on to finish the season in second place behind Michael Schumacher. Robert Kubica rounds out the top 5 when he won the Canadian Grand Prix in 2008, at 23 years, 6 months, and 1 day.