Kimi Antonelli was overcome with emotion after becoming Formula One’s youngest world champion at the Mexican Grand Prix, where he secured the title with third place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Antonelli shared the podium with race winner Max Verstappen and runner-up Lewis Hamilton after clinching the championship in only his second season. The Italian has enjoyed a remarkable campaign, taking nine victories.
The new champion became tearful during the podium ceremony as Nessun Dorma, from Puccini’s Turandot, played over the circuit’s public-address system. He later explained that the song had particular significance because his grandfather used to listen to it.
“It was very emotional for me,” Antonelli said, adding that he believed his grandfather would have been proud. “I’ve cried way too much today but it’s good.” Earlier, he had described the achievement as a moment they would remember forever. His race engineer, Peter Bonnington, told him that the title was only the first chapter of their journey.
Defending champion Lando Norris led the tributes to Antonelli, saying the Italian had not received enough credit for his achievements. Norris highlighted that Antonelli had beaten a highly experienced teammate and suggested his dominance had made the season appear easier than it was.
Verstappen also praised Antonelli’s composure and consistency. “To achieve this in your second year in Formula One is always very impressive,” he said, noting that the new champion had avoided major mistakes while defeating his experienced teammate.
Hamilton, who first met Antonelli when the Italian joined Mercedes’ junior programme at 12, said it had been special to watch his development. He praised Antonelli’s faultless season after the youngster replaced him at Mercedes.
Hamilton’s celebrations were tempered by frustration with Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc. During the opening lap, Leclerc challenged Hamilton, went off track while making the move and left Hamilton exposed to Verstappen, who passed him and went on to win. Hamilton said the incident had cost Ferrari the possibility of a one-two finish.
The seven-time champion argued that Ferrari needed to address the lack of formal rules between its drivers. He said the incident reflected a mentality in which one driver either wins or prevents both from succeeding, and called for a serious discussion within the team.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur was similarly disappointed. He said he did not understand how the team had lost the race and indicated that the incident raised questions about respect for the team and the work carried out by its staff.
Sources: The Guardian Sport.