Kimi Antonelli Shocks F1 World With Historic Championship Triumph
Max Verstappen clinched a thrilling victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, holding off Lewis Hamilton to win by just 0.799 seconds at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday. However, the biggest moment of the 71-lap race belonged to Kimi Antonelli, who secured third place to become Formula 1’s youngest-ever World Champion at 20 years and 68 days. Starting fourth, the Mercedes driver delivered a composed performance despite an eventful afternoon featuring a red flag following Valtteri Bottas’ heavy crash and a late Safety Car after Arvid Lindblad’s collision. Antonelli regained third position with an impressive move on Charles Leclerc after the restart and maintained his podium spot until the chequered flag. Verstappen, meanwhile, managed the closing stages brilliantly despite relentless pressure from Hamilton. Leclerc finished fourth, followed by Lando Norris, while George Russell secured sixth place.
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy, right, who finished third, celebrates on the podium after winning the world championship alongside second placed Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain at the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix auto race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Fernando Llano
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy celebrates his world champion title after the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands crosses the finish line to win the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: Daniel Becerril/Pool Photo via AP
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car in front of Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain and Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy during the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo
Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy steers his car during the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Moises Castillo
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car in front of Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy during the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Eduardo Verdugo
Red Bull driver Max Verstappen of the Netherlands steers his car followed by Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain during the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix auto race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Fernando Llano
Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain leads the field after the start of the Formula One Mexico Grand Prix auto race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Fernando Llano
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc of Monaco, right, and teammate Lewis Hamilton lead after the start of the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: AP/Moises Castillo
Restart of the Mexico Grand Prix Formula One race in Mexico City, Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026. | Photo: Daniel Becerril/Pool Photo via AP
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