The 10 youngest drivers to lead the F1 standings

Kimi Antonelli has made history by becoming the youngest driver ever to top the Formula 1 Drivers' Championship standings, following a dominant victory at the Japanese Grand Prix. The 19-year-old Mercedes driver secured back-to-back wins, having also claimed victory and pole position in China just two weeks prior. After a challenging start at Suzuka, Antonelli leveraged a perfectly timed Safety Car to regain the lead and seize the championship lead by a nine-point margin over his rivals. This historic achievement highlights a growing list of youngest-ever records broken by the Italian teenager. As the 2026 season continues with 19 rounds remaining, anticipation is building regarding whether Antonelli can maintain his momentum and challenge Sebastian Vettel’s long-standing record as the youngest-ever F1 World Champion.