Andrea "Kimi" Antonelli Makes F1 History in Mexico City While Wearing an IWC Chronograph

Andrea "Kimi" Antonelli has permanently etched his name into the history books of motorsport, securing a monumental Formula 1 World Championship title at the Mexico City Grand Prix with an IWC timepiece securely fastened to his wrist.

The Mercedes-AMG Petronas driver clinched the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship on Sunday at the Foro Sol Stadium. Delivering a measured and consistent performance throughout the afternoon, Antonelli crossed the finish line in third place, trailing Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton. However, that final podium placement—bolstered by an impressive tally of nine previous Grand Prix victories earlier in the season—was more than enough to mathematically secure the championship crown.

With this triumph, Antonelli achieved the milestone at precisely 20 years and 68 days old, making him the youngest-ever Formula 1 World Champion in the history of the sport. He surpassed the previous record held by German racing icon Sebastian Vettel, who captured his maiden title in 2010 at the age of 23. Furthermore, Antonelli’s championship victory carries immense historical significance for his home country, marking the first time an Italian driver has claimed the Formula 1 world title in more than 70 years.

As the celebrations unfolded beneath the podium lights in Mexico City, Antonelli commemorated his historic achievement wearing a distinct Mercedes-themed timepiece from IWC Schaffhausen: the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 Edition “Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team,” bearing the reference number IW388108.

The chronograph holds a special place within the contemporary catalog of the Swiss watchmaker. Released initially in May 2022 to coincide with the inaugural Miami Grand Prix, the timepiece represents the very first official team watch created by IWC as part of its enduring partnership with the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, a collaboration that first began back in 2013.

Designed with both aesthetics and high-performance functionality in mind, the reference features a lightweight and durable 41-millimeter case crafted from grade 5 titanium. Encased within is a matte black dial that serves as a high-contrast canvas for vibrant accents of the team’s signature Petronas green. Notably, IWC extended this striking hue beyond the standard hands and hour markers, carrying the vibrant green colorway through to the day and date display—a meticulous detail that many watchmakers frequently overlook—as well as the three subsidiary chronograph counters and the integrated green rubber strap.

Beneath the solid titanium case back beats IWC’s in-house manufactured 69385 caliber movement. The mechanical chronograph movement utilizes a classic column-wheel design and features a distinctive vertical subdial layout that sets it apart from traditional chronograph arrangements. Operating at a steady frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, equivalent to 4 Hz, the movement provides a reliable power reserve of 46 hours. For collectors and enthusiasts looking to acquire a piece of motorsport-inspired horology, the watch retails for a relatively accessible $9,200.

Over the subsequent four years following the debut of the original team edition, IWC has continued to expand its collaborative relationship with the Formula 1 outfit by releasing a series of specialized Pilot’s Watches tailored for specific races and milestones. Among these recent releases was a striking timepiece unveiled ahead of the Singapore Grand Prix in August, which featured a rich purple colorway inspired by the native Singapore orchid.

Given the continuous pipeline of fresh releases from the Swiss luxury brand, it proved somewhat intriguing to watch enthusiasts that Antonelli opted for a reference released nearly half a decade ago for the defining moment of his career, rather than choosing one of the more recent iterations from IWC’s evolving lineup.

The young Italian driver’s relationship with both the Mercedes organization and IWC is deeply intertwined. Antonelli was inducted into the prestigious Mercedes Junior Program back in 2019 at the tender age of 12, rising steadily through the developmental ranks of single-seater racing before ultimately stepping up to fill the vacancy left by Lewis Hamilton, taking on a full-time seat for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 Team for the 2025 season when he was just 18 years old.

While contractual obligations require drivers within the Mercedes stable to wear the Swiss watchmaker’s timepieces during official team duties and public appearances, Antonelli has consistently expressed a genuine and authentic passion for horology. Earlier this year at the Miami Grand Prix, the young driver was spotted wearing the newly released Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 “Le Petit Prince,” which had only recently made its global debut at the annual Watches & Wonders trade show in April.

Reflecting on his burgeoning interest in timepieces during an interview with Robb Report earlier in the season, Antonelli shared insight into his personal collection and growing appreciation for the craft.

"I really like watches, and I got into it last year," Antonelli told Robb Report at the time. "It’s another way to express yourself, I think. I’m trying to get more watches to fit every kind of occasion."

With the championship trophy now secured and his name firmly written into the history books as the youngest titleholder the sport has ever seen, the racing world will undoubtedly be watching to see which timepiece accompanies the young Italian champion on his wrist as he navigates the final three races of the demanding 2026 season.