MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 01: 2026 F1 World Drivers Champion and third placed Andrea Kimi

The key moments that impressed me most in Antonelli’s title campaign

Former F1 DriverJolyon Palmer

Kimi Antonelli is crowned F1 champion of 2026 – and what a season it’s been for him. Few would have predicted this year to play out as it has, not only with Kimi becoming the youngest World Champion in history, but wrapping it up with four races remaining, which only underlines his dominance.

What we’ve seen this year is the full repertoire of skills from the 20-year-old. He’s never been overawed and even on his toughest days he’s still been a podium threat.

There are two images that I think will encapsulate this season. One is Kimi celebrating on the podium at Monza to a raucous crowd, after becoming Italy’s first home winner for 60 years.