Six more world titles would put Kimi Antonelli alongside Schumacher and Hamilton on seven apiece, and he has more than a decade of seasons to find them.
The 2026 championship, sealed with third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November, delivered the first. At 20 years and 68 days he became the youngest world champion in F1 history, more than three years younger than Sebastian Vettel when the German took his first crown in 2010.
He is also the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, and he did it in his second season at Mercedes.
Nine wins and a rewritten record book
Antonelli’s path to the title ran through nine race victories, including five in a row from China to Monaco. He became the youngest pole-sitter in F1 history at Shanghai in March, and the youngest grand slam winner at Monaco in May.
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Speaking after the race in Mexico City, he credited the team and his family.
“We did it. And, you know, without them, I wouldn’t be here. Without Mercedes, without my family,” Antonelli told Formula1.com. “So I’m very grateful for this moment, and it’s one that will live forever.”
The Hamilton and Schumacher horizon
The ceiling now looks a long way up. To match Hamilton’s 106 career wins Antonelli needs 97 more. Equalling his 105 pole positions is a similar climb. Hamilton’s 209-podium record is another twelve seasons of near-permanent top-three finishes. Schumacher’s 77 fastest laps is a 70-lap gap from where Antonelli sits now.
Each number is arithmetic, not prophecy. Hamilton reached 100 wins in his 15th season. Antonelli is still in his second.
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Interlagos first on the remaining calendar
Four rounds remain on the 2026 calendar, starting with the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos on 8 November.
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