Antonelli Makes Formula 1 History as Verstappen Wins Mexico City Grand Prix
Kimi Antonelli has become the youngest Formula 1 world champion in history after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed his third victory in four races.
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured his first world title at the age of 20 years and 68 days, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s previous record by three years and 66 days.
Antonelli finished behind Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic race that featured a red flag, safety cars and intense battles among the leading drivers.
The Italian remained composed throughout the chaotic afternoon, knowing that a strong finish would be enough to secure the championship. His title was confirmed after he crossed the line in third place.
Antonelli became the first Italian to win the Formula 1 world championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
He struggled to contain his emotions during the slowing-down lap, with tears and laughter interrupting his radio message to the Mercedes team.
After regaining his composure, he said: “Thank you so much. We did it. We did it.”
Antonelli Keeps His Composure Amid Late Drama
Antonelli entered the race knowing that he only needed to avoid major trouble to secure the championship.
He initially ran in fourth place behind Charles Leclerc, Verstappen and Hamilton before moving into the lead as the other front-runners made their pit stops.
Mercedes’ decision to pit him shortly before a safety car helped shape his final stint.
The race was interrupted on lap 45 after Valtteri Bottas crashed his Cadillac when its front suspension failed under braking at Turn One. The incident initially brought out the safety car before officials stopped the race to allow repairs to the barriers.
Following the restart, Leclerc locked up heavily while Verstappen and Hamilton battled for the lead. Antonelli took advantage and moved ahead of the Ferrari driver on the following lap.
Another safety car was deployed with 12 laps remaining after Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad crashed following contact with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
At the final restart, Antonelli found himself behind Verstappen and Hamilton. None of the three drivers managed to make a decisive move, and they crossed the finish line less than two seconds apart.
Ferrari Tensions After First-Lap Controversy
The race also exposed tensions between Ferrari team-mates Hamilton and Leclerc.
Hamilton started from pole position, with Leclerc in third behind Mercedes driver George Russell.
As Russell dropped back, Leclerc challenged Hamilton through the opening corners. He eventually passed the seven-time champion around the outside at the Turn Four/Five chicane, but went onto the grass and cut the corner while taking the lead.
Hamilton had also gone off while defending his position, although not as significantly as Leclerc.
The incident allowed Verstappen to move past Hamilton into second place. Both Verstappen and Hamilton questioned over team radio whether Leclerc should surrender the position.
However, Leclerc remained in the lead and received a five-second penalty. The stewards opted for a reduced punishment, taking into account that Hamilton had also gone off the track.
Hamilton was left frustrated, believing the incident had cost Ferrari a possible one-two finish.
Later in the race, Leclerc suffered a heavy lock-up following the red flag and struggled with a flat spot on his tyre. He came under pressure from McLaren’s Lando Norris but managed to hold on to fourth place.
Russell finished sixth after receiving a 10-second penalty for making contact with Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar on the opening lap. Piastri finished seventh after his car was damaged in the incident involving Lindblad.
Mexico City Grand Prix: Top 10
- Max Verstappen – Red Bull
- Lewis Hamilton – Ferrari
- Kimi Antonelli – Mercedes
- Charles Leclerc – Ferrari
- Lando Norris – McLaren
- George Russell – Mercedes
- Oscar Piastri – McLaren
- Franco Colapinto – Alpine
- Liam Lawson – Racing Bulls
- Pierre Gasly – Alpine
What’s Next?
Formula 1 now heads to Brazil for the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos, scheduled for 6–8 November.
The race will be the third event in the season’s second triple-header, with attention now turning to the remaining battles following Antonelli’s historic championship victory.
