India, Nov. 2 -- Italian driver Kimi Antonelli made history on Sunday by becoming Formula One's youngest-ever world champion at the age of 20 years and 68 days, after finishing third for Mercedes at the Mexico City Grand Prix, which was won by Red Bull's Max Verstappen.

Antonelli broke the previous record held by Germany's Sebastian Vettel, who won his first of four world titles with Red Bull in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days.

The Italian became the first driver from his country to win the championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953. His third-place finish at the high-altitude Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez gave him an unassailable 119-point lead in the overall standings.

Overcome with emotion, Antonelli sobbed over the team radi...