Kimi Antonelli has made history by becoming the youngest Formula One world champion ever, securing the title with a third-place finish at an action-packed Mexican Grand Prix. At 20 years and 68 days old, the Italian completed his remarkable title march in his second F1 season under the Mexico City sun.
Antonelli only needed to finish ninth to clinch the crown, but he delivered a podium performance, becoming the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Lewis Hamilton, who ended a 1,197-day wait for pole on Saturday by beating George Russell, was one of only two drivers who could have prevented Antonelli's coronation had he failed to score.
Verstappen Wins as Hamilton Fumes
Max Verstappen claimed his sixth win in Mexico, fighting off Hamilton at a second race start to secure a third victory in four races and move to second in the standings, 119 points behind Antonelli. Hamilton was furious after a first-lap scuffle with Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc, who he accused of pushing him off track.
Antonelli passed Leclerc to finish on the podium, with Lando Norris fifth ahead of Russell. The race featured multiple incidents, including a red flag and a safety car, but Antonelli kept his composure throughout.
Historic Achievement for Italian Driver
After a debut season where Antonelli struggled, few expected him to storm to the championship with four rounds remaining. Mercedes delivered the dominant car, but Russell was the heavy title favourite. Antonelli responded to Russell's opening win in Melbourne with his maiden F1 success in China, kickstarting a run of five victories that gave him a lead he never relinquished.
Antonelli surpassed the previous youngest champion record by three years and 65 days, ahead of Sebastian Vettel. Hamilton, whom Antonelli replaced at Mercedes, was three years and 39 days older when he won his first title.
Antonelli's win in Austin last weekend made Sunday's race more routine. He arrived with his sister Maggie and parents Veronica and Marco, ready to celebrate. After a hug from engineer Pete 'Bono' Bonnington and a kiss from his mother, he started from fourth on the grid.
Race Drama and Penalties
Hamilton started well to fend off Russell, but Leclerc elbowed his way into the lead around the outside at turn four, running over the grass and sending Hamilton wobbling, allowing Verstappen through. "Pushed out by my own team-mate," Hamilton fumed. Russell plummeted to sixth and banged into Isack Hadjar, while Antonelli kept his nose clean to remain fourth.
Leclerc was hit with a five-second penalty, and Hamilton grumbled: "He should just give the positions back." Russell received a 10-second penalty for his collision with Hadjar. Hamilton's anger continued, saying: "The stewards are basically handing Charles this win."
Leclerc had almost a five-second lead on Verstappen when the pair pitted after 27 laps, the Dutchman emerging ahead once the penalty was served. Antonelli led and extended his first stint until lap 44, rejoining fourth. The following lap, Valtteri Bottas hit the barriers, triggering a safety car due to a front-left suspension failure.
Antonelli moaned "Ah f***, man" at the unlucky timing. The race was red-flagged for barrier repairs, and Hamilton, promoted ahead of Antonelli again, said "We've got big problems, man" before storming into the Ferrari garage.
After a 33-minute halt and a second race start with 25 laps to go, Hamilton blasted past Leclerc off the line before banging wheels with Verstappen. Leclerc locked up and was under fire from Antonelli, who pulled off a daring move to charge through. Arvid Lindblad and Oscar Piastri crashed to trigger a safety-car restart, which Antonelli navigated, before the Foro Sol stadium erupted as he drove through on the final lap.
