Antonelli is the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

MEXICO CITY -- Twenty-year-old Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became the youngest champion in the history of Formula 1 on Sunday with four races still left in the season.

Antonelli, the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton after the Mexico City Grand Prix. Antonelli finished third in the race, which was won by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen.

Sebastian Vettel was the previous youngest champion at age 23 in 2010.