Kimi Antonelli: a world champion with a place in the Champions of the Future story
Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 world title brings a special sense of pride to Champions of the Future. Crowned in Mexico City on 1 November 2026, the 20-year-old Mercedes driver is now the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. For our series, it is also a chance to celebrate someone we remember fondly, and to revisit the performances he gave us along the way.
There from the very beginning
Kimi was part of Champions of the Future from the start, lining up in OK at Zuera in July 2020 for the very first event. He was immediately among the leading names, finishing every qualifying heat in the top three and showing the speed that would define his time with us.
At Portimão that October, he took overall pole position and won all four of his qualifying heats, one of the most dominant qualifying performances of the season. He backed it up with the fastest lap in the Final, a statement of intent from a driver who was already setting the standard.
A winning return in 2021
Kimi came back to Genk in May 2021 just as strong, qualifying second overall and winning the Prefinal to secure pole position for the Final. A few weeks later, he returned to Zuera, where it all began, and this time he took the biggest prize. Overall pole position, a first-place finish in the heats and fastest lap in the Final all led to victory in the OK Final, leaving Spain at the head of the championship with 196 points.
A new challenge in KZ2
Kimi was back for the inaugural Champions of the Future Winter Series at Franciacorta in February 2022, this time in KZ2. He qualified second overall, adding another chapter to his time with us in a different category and showing the same adaptability that has carried him through every step since.
Those results give us plenty to celebrate, but so does the pleasure of having had Kimi as part of our paddock. We are proud to have shared a chapter of his journey and grateful for the memories he gave our series.
Congratulations, Kimi, to your family and to everyone who has helped you reach this moment. From all of us at Champions of the Future and RGMMC, enjoy being a Formula 1 World Champion. We will be cheering you on for everything that comes next.