Sebastian Vettel has delivered an emotional tribute to Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver became the youngest Formula 1 World Champion in history at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix. The four-time world champion, who previously held the record himself, congratulated the Italian youngster in a heartfelt video letter published by Formula 1, symbolically passing the torch to the sport’s new record holder.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the championship mathematically by crossing the finish line in third place in Mexico City. Shortly afterwards, Formula 1 shared a special video featuring Sebastian Vettel, whose personal message combined admiration for the new champion’s achievements, memories of his own first title and some important advice about handling success.
Sebastian Vettel passes youngest F1 champion record to Andrea Kimi Antonelli
The crowning of Andrea Kimi Antonelli as the 2026 Formula 1 World Champion marked a historic moment for Italian motorsport. By becoming the youngest driver ever to win the Drivers’ Championship, the Mercedes youngster surpassed a record that had previously belonged to Sebastian Vettel.
Formula 1 chose to celebrate the occasion by inviting the former Ferrari driver to deliver a personal message. The video letter was released on the championship’s official social media channels shortly after Andrea Kimi Antonelli secured the title with his third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix.
The choice of Sebastian Vettel was particularly meaningful. The German had been the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history, making him the ideal person to recognise the achievement and symbolically hand over the record.
The German driver’s achievements, including his four World Championships and subsequent career with Ferrari, can also be explored through his Sebastian Vettel F1 career and Ferrari statistics.
Sebastian Vettel praises Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s driving style and maturity
Sebastian Vettel began his video letter by congratulating Andrea Kimi Antonelli on joining the exclusive group of Formula 1 World Champions. He praised both the youngster’s attitude and his approach behind the wheel, highlighting the qualities that had helped him reach the pinnacle of motorsport at such a young age.
“Kimi, congratulations. World Champion. Wow. Only a very few of us have managed to achieve this, and nobody has done it as young as you. You’re curious, you listen, you learn quickly, you’re fearless. Your driving style has been very clean and controlled, but on the limit when necessary. You’ve understood that you can only control what you can control. You have a unique driving style, and we love watching you.”
The tribute was more than a simple acknowledgement of the championship result. Sebastian Vettel’s words reflected his admiration for the composure and maturity Andrea Kimi Antonelli had demonstrated on his way to the title.
Sebastian Vettel recalls the emotions of winning his first F1 title
The former Ferrari driver then turned to his own experience of becoming a Formula 1 World Champion, describing the overwhelming emotions that accompanied his first championship victory.
Drawing on those memories, Sebastian Vettel offered Andrea Kimi Antonelli a personal insight into what it feels like when years of preparation, competition and sacrifice finally produce the ultimate achievement.
“When I won my first title, it felt as though everything had happened the very moment I crossed the finish line. I was overwhelmed. I got out of the car, and the world around me was moving at full speed. It was a real adrenaline rush. It was impossible to reflect. I didn’t sleep well for days, so be prepared.”
However, the German explained that his understanding of the achievement changed once the initial excitement had subsided. Holding the World Championship trophy and seeing the names of the champions who had come before him gave the moment a deeper significance.
“But I remember the feeling when I finally realised what I had achieved, holding the World Championship trophy in my hands and reading the names of all the other champions. I felt proud and satisfied. I realised that the best part hadn’t been crossing the finish line that decided the title. It had been all the races that led to that moment.”
Sebastian Vettel continued by emphasising that a championship is never defined by one race alone, but by the experiences and challenges accumulated throughout an entire season.
“It’s never a single race that matters. It’s all the races we compete in. Every race shapes us. And with everything that’s about to happen over the next few weeks, I’m sure you’ll soon feel the urge to race again. Looking at the bigger picture, there’s still another race to win.”
Sebastian Vettel gives Andrea Kimi Antonelli personal advice about success
The most personal part of Sebastian Vettel’s message came at the end, when the four-time champion offered Andrea Kimi Antonelli advice about how success can influence relationships with other people.
Rather than focusing solely on racing performance, the former Ferrari driver encouraged the new World Champion to remain grounded despite the recognition that comes with reaching the highest level of Formula 1.
“Finally, one piece of advice. Great success may change the way people look at you, but it shouldn’t change the way you look at people. Now go and enjoy it. A big hug, Sebastian. Bye.”
The message brought the video letter to a touching conclusion, with Sebastian Vettel recognising the significance of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s achievement while also reminding him of the responsibilities that accompany becoming a World Champion.
Formula 1 celebrates historic moment with Sebastian Vettel video tribute
Formula 1 shared the tribute through its official social media channels, presenting the video as a symbolic passing of the youngest-ever World Champion record from Sebastian Vettel to Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
The gesture connected two generations of Formula 1 champions, with the previous record holder personally welcoming the Mercedes youngster into one of the sport’s most exclusive groups. For Andrea Kimi Antonelli, the third-place finish in Mexico City therefore brought more than the 2026 Drivers’ Championship. It also marked the moment he became the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing a milestone previously associated with Sebastian Vettel.
Readers can also explore how championship titles are mathematically decided through the Formula 1 Championship Points Calculator, which explains remaining points, title scenarios and the championship’s scoring system.
Watch the emotional video letter from Sebastian Vettel to Andrea Kimi Antonelli:
Sebastian Vettel congratulates Andrea Kimi Antonelli – Formula 1’s official video tribute
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