Video: Baggio and Del Piero send messages to F1 World Champion Antonelli
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - NOVEMBER 01: Race winner Max Verstappen of the Netherlands and Oracle Red Bull Racing and Second placed Lewis Hamilton of Great Britain and Scuderia Ferrari lift 2026 F1 World Drivers Champion and third placed Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team onto their shoulders on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of Mexico at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on November 01, 2026 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Roberto Baggio and Alessandro Del Piero were among the Italian football stars to send messages of congratulations to Kimi Antonelli, who became the youngest Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion of all time on Sunday.
Italian sport comes together to congratulate Antonelli
Antonelli secured a podium finish at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, which was enough to secure his status as World Champion for 2026. He is the youngest driver in the history of the sport to achieve the feat and the first Italian to win it in 73 years, dating back to Alberto Ascari’s victory in 1953.
Legendary figures from the world of Italian sport have come together to send messages of congratulations to the 20-year-old world champion, including a few iconic footballing figures.
Del Piero was among the stars to send a message to Antonelli via the official F1 channels: “Congratulations, F1 champion of the world!,” he said. “Phenomenal! Sending you a big hug. You are a source of pride for all of us Italians.”
Baggio was also included in the video, adding: “Hi Kimi, many, many congratulations for winning your first world championship. Sending a hug, ciao!”
There was also a message from Riccardo Orsolini, captain of Antonelli’s hometown club, Bologna: “On behalf of everyone from Bologna, we send our congratulations for winning your first F1 world championship. We look forward to seeing you in Bologna to celebrate together, a big hug, ciao!”
Several other big-name stars have sent messages of congratulations via social media, including Antonio Conte, Bologna FC, Virgil van Dijk and Sergio Roberto.
Messages from home 🇮🇹 Messaggi dall’Italia#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/OfNshugJQf
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 2, 2026
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