He had promised that he would do his best "to raise the Italian flag" and he did it: Kimi Antonelli, third at the finish line in the Mexican GP, became Formula One world champion and brought the world title back to Italy 73 years after Ascari.
A historic feat for the 20-year-old Mercedes driver, who also broke the record for youngest world champion in Formula One history in a race that had promised to be an uphill battle after he contracted a high fever in recent days.
"Did I sleep last night?" he told reporters pre-race after arriving at the paddock hand in hand with his eleven-year-old sister Maggie. "It was the best night of the week. I collapsed in bed and slept a long, hard night because I was so tired."
Max Verstappen's Red Bull crossed the finish line first, ahead of Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari . Charles Leclerc's other Ferrari finished fourth.
"We did it. I wouldn't be here without Mercedes and my family. I'm grateful to them ," Kimi said, his first words amid tears of joy. " It's been an incredible season , just as it's incredible and crazy to share the podium with champions like Hamilton and Verstappen. Thank you so much, Mexico."
The Bolognese prodigy's triumph was a foregone conclusion, arriving with four races remaining in a season dominated from the start by the German team's driver, despite a first year with the Silver Star that had seen him struggle greatly, prompting more than a few criticisms and second thoughts about his ability to race for a top team. This year, however, Antonelli has exceeded all expectations, stunning everyone with his driving style, dispels any doubts about his ability.
From the very first races, “Kimiferma” put his rivals on the track in line, from the most successful Hamilton and Verstappen to his most accredited teammate George Russell who had to surrender due to clear superiority.
A well-deserved world championship thanks in part to the as demonstrated at the temple of speed at Monza last September, when Antonelli, , which decided to focus on him rather than Ferrari, managed to win from the back of the grid, sending even the fans wild with joy, disappointed once again by the Reds' lackluster performance in their home race.
