Why Antonelli’s title win is an explosive shot in the arm for F1

In the first four years of the Formula 1 World Championship, Italians were crowned champion three times. The first, in 1950, was the patrician Dr Giuseppe Farina; he was followed by the great Alberto Ascari in 1952 and 1953.

But it was not until November 1, 2026, in Mexico City that 20-year-old non-pareil Kimi Antonelli finally ended Italy’s 73-year drought to become their next champion.

That’s an awful long time between dances. And in doing so he joined another rare club, populated by Juan Manuel Fangio, Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton, previously the only men to have donned the crown in only their second season in F1.