Kimi Antonelli Breaks Records with Stunning Suzuka Drive

At 18, Kimi Antonelli becomes the youngest driver to lead a Formula 1 race and set the fastest lap at Suzuka. Discover the record-breaking moment.

Formula 1 has a new record-breaker: 18-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest person ever to lead a Grand Prix. It happened at the Japanese Grand Prix in Suzuka, only his third race for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team. Thanks to a bold team strategy that saw him complete a 31-lap opening stint, Antonelli found himself at the front and stayed there for 10 laps, surpassing Max Verstappen’s 2016 record.

That wasn’t his only achievement. Antonelli also set the fastest lap of the race — 1:30.965 — becoming the youngest driver in the 75-year history of Formula 1 to do so. And impressively, it was his very first time racing at Suzuka.

His debut season has been remarkably consistent. The teenager scored points in four out of the first five races, including a spectacular climb from P16 to P4 at the season opener in Australia. With 38 points to his name, Antonelli currently sits sixth in the Drivers’ Championship, just ahead of seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton.

Experts have already begun dissecting his driving style. Antonelli is noted for his aggressive cornering in slow sections, drawing comparisons to Max Verstappen. He has acknowledged some similarities with Lewis Hamilton, particularly when it comes to car setup and braking preferences. However, some analysts have pointed out that his “acrobatic” approach may pose risks over a full season.

Inside the team, support for Antonelli remains strong. Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff has expressed optimism about the young driver’s progress, praising his early performances and attitude. While George Russell continues to deliver podium finishes, Antonelli is evolving from a rookie into a genuine contender.

Mercedes is preparing key upgrades to the W16, aimed at improving its performance in slower corners — a known weakness. If those adjustments bear fruit and Antonelli maintains his current trajectory, we could see him vying for podiums before the year is out. Until then, he remains focused on his next milestone: not just leading a race, but doing so on the final lap.

Source: mercedes-benz.com