Kimi Antonelli was lost for words after becoming the youngest-ever Formula One drivers’ champion, aged just 20 years and 68 days.

Upon arrival in Mexico City on Sunday, Antonelli one hand on the title with four races to spare and just needed to finish ninth or better to make history.

Antonelli would go on to finish third to clinch the title and also become the first Italian champion of the sport since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

“We did it, we did it. 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," he said.

“I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened."

Lando Norris, meanwhile, hailed the “insane job” Antonelli has done as Italian takes over from the British driver as Formula One world champion.

Norris, who had to come through a final-race battle to clinch his maiden championship in Abu Dhabi last season, believes Antonelli deserves more accolades for his title-winning display.

“He’s done an insane job. I feel like people are not giving him enough credit for what he has achieved this year,” Norris said.

“He has beaten his team-mate (George Russell) who has been in the sport for four or five times longer than him. Who is also very good and took the battle to Lewis (Hamilton, at Mercedes).

“I think people say ‘he has not had much competition’. That’s because he has slapped his competition!

“He’s made it look too easy, like an easy year. If you can make anything look easy nowadays you’ve done an unbelievable job.”

He’s done an insane job. I feel like people are not giving him enough credit for what he has achieved this year,

Lando Norris

Antonelli, then 18, was chosen to replace seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes having joined the team as a 12-year-old.

Hamilton, who watched the Italian rise through the ranks, is proud of what Antonelli has achieved.

“I think for me, to see a youngster such as Kimi come through from being the little kid standing in the back of the garage, to replacing me at a team that I’ve loved and worked for many, many years and then this year where he’s just been faultless throughout, I think it’s really, really great to see,” Hamilton said.

“Records are there to be broken, you know. What he’s been able to do at such a young age. He’s just got such a bright future ahead of him. So, I’m grateful that I can be racing in the time to see it.”

Additional reporting by Press Association.

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