ROSSI AND MOTOGP RIDERS CONGRATULATE ANTONELLI ON F1 TITLE

Valentino Rossi and several MotoGP figures have joined the congratulations for Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver secured his first Formula 1 world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

Antonelli finished third in the race to seal the title in only his second F1 season. At 20, he is the youngest world champion in the sport’s history and the first Italian to win the crown since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Rossi delivered his message in a video shared by Formula 1, alongside other Italian sporting figures. Antonelli has regularly trained and raced at Rossi’s ranch in Tavullia as part of his connection with the VR46 Riders Academy since moving into F1 last year. The pair have also shared karting sessions. Rossi recalled first hearing about Antonelli at a kart track in Migliaro, where the circuit owner told him a talented young driver held the lap record. Rossi later saw a handwritten note recording Antonelli’s achievement. “Come on Kimi! World champion! We are all so proud of you; great job,” Rossi said.

Speaking to Sky Italia, the nine-time world champion said Antonelli would become “an absolute hero in Italy” after such a historic result. Rossi said he had long wondered why Italy had no Formula 1 drivers winning races or championships, and called it “fantastic” to see an Italian champion again. He also warned that Antonelli would now have to handle becoming a global superstar, but added: “If he stays as he is, then I have no worries about Kimi!”

Aprilia rider Marco Bezzecchi, a close friend of Antonelli, also sent his congratulations. “Hi Kimi. Finally, you are world champion,” he said. “A big hug, huge congratulations. You deserve it. Looking forward to seeing you. Forza Kimi!” Fabio Quartararo and Jorge Martin were among the other MotoGP riders to congratulate him on social media.

The VR46 Racing team shared a separate tribute. Franco Morbidelli praised Antonelli’s season, saying: “Congratulations Kimi. It’s been a wonderful year. You made us dream; you gave us so much joy. Great job!”

Fabio Di Giannantonio focused on the pressure Antonelli had faced at such a young age. “Ciao Kimi. It’s incredible: you are only 20 years old and becoming world champion,” he said. He added that Antonelli had managed the pressure and his victories to become “number one in the world”, calling the achievement incredible and Antonelli “a big inspiration”.

The title has been secured, but Antonelli’s season is not over. Four races remain, beginning in Brazil this weekend, with a planned Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi triple-header to follow. Uncertainty over racing in the Middle East could alter the schedule, however, and leave Imola hosting the season finale in early December.