Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion with Mexico podium

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1's youngest world champion on Sunday, November 1, 2026. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver finished third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli is Italy's first drivers' champion since Alberto Ascari 73 years ago, and he sealed the title with four races still to run. He takes the "youngest champion" record from Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title in 2010 at 23.bbc.co.uk+2

Antonelli came to Mexico 123 points ahead of teammate George Russell, so a top-nine finish was enough to clinch the title. "Thank you so much, we did it!" he said over team radio after crossing the line, and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff answered: "Kimi we did it, world champion!".independent.co.uk

A chaotic race

Hamilton started on pole, but Charles Leclerc took the lead on the first lap. That move caused friction at Ferrari, and Verstappen took advantage of the fight between the two teammates to win for the third time in four races. Leclerc also got a five-second penalty for a clash with Hamilton. Later, a heavy crash by Valtteri Bottas brought out a red flag.independent.co.uk+1

Antonelli started fourth. After the standing restart he passed Leclerc, whose tires were worn, at Turn 1 to move into a podium place. Arvid Lindblad crashed after touching wheels with Oscar Piastri, which brought a late safety car. Verstappen then held off Hamilton and won by 0.799 seconds. Leclerc finished fourth, with Lando Norris fifth and Russell sixth. Russell was penalized for spinning Isack Hadjar on the opening lap, and the result lifted Verstappen to second in the standings. It was Verstappen's sixth win in Mexico.planetf1.com+1

Norris defends the new champion

Before the race, Norris, the outgoing champion, said Antonelli was not getting enough credit for his season. "He's done an insane job," Norris said, according to a Reuters report. He pointed out that Antonelli had beaten Russell, a teammate who has been in F1 far longer, and had taken the fight to Hamilton.devdiscourse.com

Antonelli has won nine races this season, in only his second year in F1. They include Monaco, Monza and Spa, and at one point he won five in a row. "They say, 'Oh, he's not had much competition' and everything," Norris said. "But that's because he just slapped his competition."devdiscourse.com