Ben Sulayem urges Antonelli to stay the same after F1 title win

FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem has congratulated Kimi Antonelli on becoming the new Formula 1 drivers' champion, saying he is emotional about the Mercedes driver's success. The title was clinched at the Mexico City Grand Prix, making Antonelli the championship's youngest champion and Italy's first title-winner in 73 years.

Antonelli, 20, joins Jacques Villeneuve and Lewis Hamilton as the only drivers to win the crown in their second season, with the exception of Juan Manuel Fangio, who won his maiden title in the championship's second campaign in 1951. Ben Sulayem praised the young driver's ability to work under pressure and stress without complaint, calling him a phenomenon.

In his post, Ben Sulayem asked Antonelli to keep the same character he has shown so far, saying success should not change him. He added that many people were happy about the result.