Italian Mercedes driver becomes youngest ever to win ever Formula 1 world championship
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| Kimi Antonelli (Photo: Formula 1 website) |
Kimi Antonelli made Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest ever world champion after securing third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Max Verstappen claimed victory ahead of Lewis Hamilton.
The Mercedes driver, 20, arrived at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez for Sunday's 71-lap race needing only a ninth-place finish to secure his maiden world title, regardless of the results of championship rivals Hamilton and team-mate George Russell.
Starting fourth on the grid, Antonelli navigated a challenging afternoon to finish third and seal the 2026 drivers' championship. His race was interrupted by a mid-race red flag following a heavy accident involving Valtteri Bottas, while a late safety car was deployed after Arvid Lindblad crashed out.
At the front, Verstappen secured his third victory of the season, with the Red Bull driver holding off sustained late pressure from Hamilton to claim an unexpected win after starting fifth.
Verstappen made an immediate impact, moving up to second on the opening lap before taking the lead after Charles Leclerc received a time penalty for cutting the track while battling pole-sitter Hamilton.
The Dutchman maintained his advantage at the standing restart and once again held off Hamilton after the safety car was withdrawn with eight laps remaining.
Leclerc eventually finished fourth, having resisted considerable pressure from Lando Norris in the closing stages. Russell took fifth for Mercedes, followed by Liam Lawson, who delivered an impressive drive for Racing Bulls after starting from the pit lane.
Gabriel Bortoleto secured seventh for Audi, ahead of Red Bull's Isack Hadjar, who had spun after contact with Russell on the opening lap. Ryo Hirakawa completed the top 10 on his Formula 1 debut for Haas, having received a mid-weekend call-up.
Alex Albon finished 11th for Williams, ahead of team-mate Carlos Sainz. Oscar Piastri was 13th after receiving a 10-second penalty for his collision with Lindblad.
Nico Hulkenberg finished 14th following a 10-second penalty for contact with Ollie Bearman, while Alpine's Franco Colapinto also received a 10-second penalty for failing to slow sufficiently under yellow flags.
Home favourite Sergio Perez finished 16th for Cadillac, while Alpine lost the opportunity to secure a double points finish after Pierre Gasly was handed a 30-second penalty, in lieu of a drive-through, for failing to slow under double yellow flags.
Lindblad retired after crashing at Turn 2 following a late collision with Piastri. Bearman also failed to finish after making contact with Hulkenberg, while Bottas and both Aston Martin drivers, Lance Stroll and Fernando Alonso, were also forced to retire.
However, the biggest story of the afternoon belonged to Antonelli, whose third-place finish was enough to secure the 2026 world championship and establish his place in Formula 1 history as the sport's youngest ever champion.
- maltatoday
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