He was just 10 when his father realised his son was no ordinary child. Sitting on his father’s lap, he held the steering wheel of a Lamborghini and changed gears as the car hurtled along at 320 kilometres per hour. Ten years later, the boy from Bologna would make history by winning the Formula 1 world championship and breaking a record that had stood since 2010.

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history in the early hours of Monday. Aged just 20 years and 68 days, the Italian Mercedes driver mathematically secured the title at the Mexican Grand Prix, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Kimi Antonelli, campeão mundial, sendo levantado “apenas” por Max Vertstappen e Lewis Hamilton. Os três terminaram no pódio do GP do México. vídeo histórico! https://t.co/ftLCX5wYvk

— DataFut (@DataFutebol) November 1, 2026

It took him just two seasons to surpass Sebastian Vettel’s record. Vettel was crowned champion in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days. Antonelli also became the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Behind the celebrations, however, lies a remarkable family story that began in a garage, with a father who feared his son might follow in his own footsteps.

Rewriting history 💪 We have a new youngest-ever Drivers’ Champion. Take a bow, Kimi Antonelli 🏆 #F1 #MexicoGP https://t.co/zeU9lCeKX0

— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026

The Lamborghini, 320km/h and the discovery of his talent

Marco Antonelli still remembers that day at the circuit in Adria, north-eastern Italy. He was there with the Lamborghini racing team he ran, while 10-year-old Kimi was competing in a karting race.

“Would you like to try the Lamborghini?” he asked him. The youngster needed no second invitation.

Marco took the driver’s seat and placed his son on his lap. His father controlled the accelerator and brakes, while Kimi took charge of the steering wheel and gear changes.

“I couldn’t see the track because he was sitting in front of me wearing a helmet. I could only see the signs before the corners,” he told the BBC.

Gradually, they increased their speed until the Lamborghini reached 320km/h. During heavy braking, the rear of the car began to slide.

“Kimi controlled the oversteer perfectly, changed gear and we carried on. I told him we had to stop because it had become dangerous,” he recalled.

It was only later, when he watched the video, that Marco realised what had happened.

“That was when I thought: perhaps he has something special.”

The boy who was ‘born in a garage’

Andrea Kimi Antonelli was born on 25 August 2006 in Bologna and grew up, quite literally, surrounded by racing cars.

“From the time he was 15 days old, he was in the garage, listening to the engines and smelling the exhaust fumes,” his father recalls.

By the age of three, he was spending endless hours on a driving simulator, sitting on Marco’s lap.

One night, his father fell asleep from exhaustion and failed to brake in time.

“Dad, Dad, don’t fall asleep! I have to drive!” the little boy shouted.

Despite his son’s talent, Marco was initially reluctant to see him become a professional racing driver. He had experienced major disappointments himself, missing out on career opportunities with Alfa Romeo and BMW.

“I suffered a great deal, and I was afraid my son would go through the same things,” he admits.

Mercedes invested $10m in the child prodigy

By the time Kimi was 11, his name had already reached Mercedes’ headquarters. The German team sent its talent scout, Gwen Lagrue, to Italy to watch him.

Lagrue was impressed by Antonelli’s ability to compete against drivers with more powerful karts, and Toto Wolff decided to invest in him.

According to The Wall Street Journal, Mercedes spent around $10 million on his development before he competed in a Formula 1 race. For seven years, the team covered his training, travel, equipment, racing entries and specialised coaching.

Antonelli repaid that trust with titles in karting, Formula 4 and Formula Regional, moving rapidly through the ranks.

In 2024, he competed in Formula 2, having already secured a place in Wolff’s future plans.

‘We’re going to put Kimi in Formula 1’

The big opportunity came when Lewis Hamilton decided to leave Mercedes for Ferrari. Wolff immediately called Marco Antonelli.

“We have some very big news. We’re going to put Kimi in Formula 1. What do you think?” he asked.

His father’s response was telling.

“Of course I’m happy. But are you sure he’s ready?”

Mercedes handed the seat of a seven-time world champion to a teenager who had not yet obtained a road driving licence.

His debut in 2025 brought outstanding performances but also numerous mistakes. The pressure was immense, while an accident at Monza during testing in 2024 had shaken his confidence. Disappointments followed, including tears in front of journalists after poor performances.

“At other teams, they would have sacked him,” Wolff admitted, defending his decision.

Antonelli’s rise in 2026 and Federer’s advice

Antonelli’s second season changed everything. With Mercedes fielding an extremely competitive car, the Italian secured six victories and six pole positions in the first 11 races.

At Monza, he delivered one of his most impressive performances, winning despite starting from 19th on the grid.

His approach to handling pressure also changed significantly. During the summer, when he met Roger Federer at Wimbledon, the Swiss tennis legend advised him to focus on one race at a time and on the things he could control.

In Mexico on 1 November, that maturity proved enough to complete his triumph. He needed only ninth place to secure the title, but finished third, making history.

His father, whom Kimi calls his “rock”, watched as the child who had once sat on his lap became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

Toto Wolff, meanwhile, saw his boldest gamble pay off. The Mercedes team principal had set himself a personal challenge: to create his own Max Verstappen. A child “programmed” to win from an early age. And it appears he has already succeeded.

“The plan was for him to gain experience in 2025 and start delivering results in 2026,” Marco Antonelli recalls. “I think we’ve exceeded expectations.”