Kimi Antonelli recently made headlines at the Japanese Grand Prix by becoming the youngest driver to ever lead a Formula 1 race — and he shares this remarkable achievement with several notable figures.
Here, we explore the ten youngest drivers who have led a lap during a Grand Prix (excluding the Indianapolis 500 when it was part of the F1 schedule).
10. Lance Stroll: 2020 Turkish GP
Our list kicks off with Lance Stroll, the current Aston Martin driver. In the 2020 Turkish Grand Prix, he qualified in pole position at 22 years, seven months, and 17 days old and managed to lead a significant portion of the race. Regrettably, after a pit stop, he lost his pace and finished ninth.
9. Lando Norris: 2021 Italian GP
During the 2021 Italian Grand Prix, Lando Norris, a teammate of Daniel Ricciardo, became one of the youngest drivers to lead a lap at the age of 21 years, nine months, and 30 days. Norris, who finished in second place, contributed to McLaren’s victory that day, which led to a playful tattoo bet for their CEO, Zak Brown.
8. Esteban Gutierrez: 2013 Spanish GP
Esteban Gutierrez became one of the youngest Grand Prix leaders at the 2013 Spanish GP, taking the lead during a pit stop cycle at 21 years, nine months, and seven days old. He clocked the fastest lap during the race but ultimately finished in 11th place, a lap down from the winner, Fernando Alonso.
7. Robert Kubica: 2006 Italian GP
In only his third Grand Prix, Robert Kubica made headlines at the 2006 Italian GP. At 21 years, nine months, and three days, he not only achieved his first podium with a third-place finish but also led the race after the front runners made pit stops.
6. Fernando Alonso: 2003 Malaysian GP
Pole-sitter Fernando Alonso seized the lead during the 2003 Malaysian GP when he was just 21 years, seven months, and 23 days old, holding onto it until lap 14. Although the race ended with a third-place finish for him, it marked an important milestone in his career.
5. Sebastien Buemi: 2010 Canadian GP
Sebastien Buemi, driving for Toro Rosso, became the second-youngest driver to lead a lap at 21 years, seven months, and 13 days during a pit cycle at the 2010 Canadian GP. Sadly, he finished eighth, finishing one lap down from the leaders.
4. Charles Leclerc: 2019 Bahrain GP
Charles Leclerc qualified on pole position for the 2019 Bahrain GP, leading the race at just 21 years, five months, and 15 days old. Unfortunately, he suffered an engine failure on lap 46, causing him to drop to third place by the end of the race.
3. Sebastian Vettel: 2007 Japanese GP
Back in 2007, Sebastian Vettel stunned the F1 world by becoming the youngest driver to lead a lap at the Japanese GP at 20 years, two months, and 27 days. He qualified eighth and was on track for a strong finish when a collision forced him to retire from the race.
2. Max Verstappen: 2016 Spanish GP
Max Verstappen made a historic entrance at the 2016 Spanish GP when he became the youngest driver to lead a lap at just 18 years, seven months, and 15 days. He went on to win the race, making him the youngest winner in F1 history and achieving several records along the way.
1. Kimi Antonelli: 2025 Japanese GP
Making headlines recently, Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes broke Verstappen’s record by merely three days at the 2025 Japanese GP, where he took the lead after others pitted. At the age of 18 years, seven months, and 12 days, he held the lead for a while but ultimately finished sixth.
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