Kimi Antonelli sealed his place in Formula 1 history Sunday by becoming the 36th drivers' champion in the series' history, and he did so in unprecedented fashion.
Here are all the records Antonelli set and the rare feats he accomplished by locking up his first title.
Youngest drivers' champion ever
The 20-year-old Antonelli shattered the record for youngest drivers' champion, which was previously held by Sebastian Vettel. The Red Bull legend was 23 years old in 2010 when he kicked off his run of four straight titles. Antonelli is also the first drivers' champion born in the 21st century.
1st Italian drivers' champion since 1953
No pilot representing Italy has won the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953. To put that in perspective, the youngest Italian who's witnessed a driver from their country win a championship is at least 73 years old today. That means even 62-year-old Marco Antonelli had never seen a countryman win the title before his son did it Sunday. Meanwhile, 76-year-old Alpine boss Flavio Briatore might be the only Italian in the paddock who's been alive for all four Italian drivers' titles.
Only driver this century to win 1st race and 1st title in same season
Antonelli's the first driver in 44 years to win his first championship in the same season that he won his first race. It hasn't been done since Keke Rosberg managed the feat in 1982. The father of Nico Rosberg secured the 1982 title despite recording just one race win. Antonelli's route to the championship has been very different: He's won nine races so far this season.
1st driver to win a title within 1st 2 seasons since Lewis Hamilton
Antonelli is following in the footsteps of the driver he replaced in more ways than one. Antonelli filled Lewis Hamilton's seat in 2025 after the Mercedes icon left for Ferrari, and he's now the first driver to win a title within his first two years in F1 since Hamilton did it in 2008. While both drivers were considered prodigious talents on arrival, they won in different fashions. Hamilton had one of the greatest rookie seasons ever but lost grip of the title in the final moments. In his second season, he captured the championship on the final lap of the last race. Antonelli, on the other hand, struggled to meet expectations during his turbulent rookie campaign and then dominated the grid in Year 2.
Biggest improvement in standings during championship year since 2009
It may be a distant memory, but Antonelli placed seventh in the drivers' standings in his rookie year. He was the lowest-scoring driver of the McLarens, Ferraris, Mercedes, and Max Verstappen. His jump from No. 7 to No. 1 is the biggest year-over-year improvement in a championship season since Jenson Button in 2009, who won his lone title after finishing a lowly 18th the year prior.
