Kimi Antonelli secured the Formula One world championship by finishing third at the Mexican Grand Prix, becoming the youngest driver to win the title. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver clinched the crown with four races still remaining in the season.
Max Verstappen won the race for Red Bull after moving from fifth on the grid to victory, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished second. Charles Leclerc crossed the line fourth after receiving a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track while attempting to pass Hamilton.
Antonelli’s championship is his first in Formula One and makes him the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari won in 1953. He is also the sport’s 36th drivers’ champion, taking the title in only his second F1 season. Sebastian Vettel had previously held the record as the youngest champion, having won at the age of 23 in 2010.
The Mercedes driver established control of the championship early in the campaign, taking the lead after the third round in Japan. He won five of the first six races and ultimately recorded nine victories, failing to score points only twice because of mechanical problems. One of his standout results came at his home race in Monza, where he won after starting 19th.
Antonelli’s nearest challengers, Mercedes teammate George Russell and Hamilton, were unable to close the gap sufficiently. Both needed to win in Mexico to keep the title fight alive, but Antonelli’s podium finish would have been enough even if either had taken victory.
The race was interrupted by a red flag after Valtteri Bottas crashed heavily at the first turn when his left-front suspension failed at high speed. Bottas was able to leave the car unaided and remained responsive over the radio.
After the restart, Hamilton moved into second and Antonelli secured third. The Italian maintained his composure throughout a fast and eventful race, completing the result required to seal the championship.
The title represents the payoff for Mercedes’ long-term investment in Antonelli, who joined the team’s young driver programme at the age of 12. He was promoted to replace Hamilton last season, a challenging rookie campaign, but adapted quickly to competing at the front this year.
Verstappen’s victory nevertheless offered encouragement to Red Bull after his strong recovery from fifth on the grid. The result suggests the team could challenge Mercedes again next season, setting up a potential battle between Verstappen and the newly crowned champion in 2027.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.