Kimi Antonelli struggled to find the words to describe the moment his Formula 1 dream became reality at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Sunday.
At just 20 years old, the Mercedes driver has secured the world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix and etching his name into F1 history.
But amid the celebrations, the champagne and the enormity of his achievement, Antonelli's thoughts quickly turned to the people who had helped him reach the summit: his family, his friends and especially the Mercedes organization.
The German manufacturer and F1 team boss Toto Wolff were instrumental in mentoring and guiding the young Italian through an extraordinary journey, and the newly crowned champion was determined that none of them would be forgotten.
A third-place finish behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton was all Antonelli needed to settle the championship with four races to spare.
Starting fourth on the grid, Antonellimade his decisive move by overtaking Charles Leclerc in the latter part of the race, securing the podium position that would deliver him an unassailable points advantage.
What followed was an emotional outpouring as he embraced his family and Mercedes team members, savouring a moment that had once seemed an impossibly distant ambition.
“We did it,” he said, still struggling to comprehend what had just happened.
“You know, without them, I wouldn’t be here – without Mercedes, without my family. So I’m very grateful for this moment, and it’s one that will live forever. I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened.
“It’s been an incredible season, and to share this podium with Max and Lewis is truly incredible. And yeah, looking forward to some more battles in the future.
“This weekend I did feel a bit more tense, but I’m just so happy, and happy that we got it done, and now we can enjoy the rest of the season.”
A family and team effort to reach the summit
The significance of Antonelli's triumph extended well beyond his personal breakthrough. By wrapping up the championship in Mexico, he became Formula 1's youngest-ever world champion and Italy's first title winner in 73 years.
Reflecting on the magnitude of the occasion, he returned to the gratitude that had defined his immediate reaction, acknowledging the support network that had accompanied him throughout his rise to the top of motorsport.
“[It’s] a moment that means so much. It’s a day I will remember forever. Thank you so much to my team, my family, my friends, and all of you guys that support me and the sport. I’m just so grateful.
“Very early on, we had such a strong car, and we were very consistent and put in the performance. I thought that we could have had a shot this year, and I’m really happy that we managed to clinch it all.”
No plans to hold back on the celebrations
There was also a refreshing sense of disbelief in Antonelli's words, as the reality of becoming world champion gradually began to sink in.
The Italian had entered the season with ambitions of fighting at the front, but even he could hardly have imagined that his first championship campaign would end with such a historic achievement.
Now, with the pressure of the title fight finally lifted, the 20-year-old was ready to embrace every second of the celebrations alongside those who had helped make it possible.
“It’s starting to get real, and I’m going to enjoy every bit of it,” he said.
“I mean, I’m going to go all out, right? I’m going to go all out with my family, friends, and the team. And we’re just going to enjoy it all the way, because this is a very special moment, one that we’ll remember forever.”
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For Mercedes, Antonelli's coronation represents the culmination of a remarkable investment in a young talent entrusted with one of the most demanding seats in Formula 1.
And for the boy who arrived in Mexico with a championship within reach, the greatest reward was perhaps the simplest: being able to share the moment with the people who had been there long before the world started calling him champion.
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