Kimi Antonelli Becomes F1’s Youngest World Champion as Verstappen Wins in Mexico

Andrea Kimi Antonelli. It’s a name already written in golden letters in the Formula 1 history books. The Italian driver has been crowned in Mexico as the youngest champion of all time, and he did so in his own way: securing an unexpected podium with a sobriety that is uncharacteristic of a 20-year-old racer.

The race was won by a Verstappen who is now second in the standings and stands as the firmest candidate for the runner-up. Verstappen overcame difficulties thanks to a strong start on medium tires and to Ferrari’s traditional self-sabotage, as they spent themselves fighting each other and letting the victory slip away.

The two Aston Martins retired right at the start because of the Honda engine

Formula 1 has a new champion. Kimi Antonelli has become in Mexico the youngest driver to win a title. At 20 years, 2 months and 7 days, Antonelli shatters Formula 1’s historical record. He is the first Italian champion since 1953, and gives Mercedes their first title after five years of drought.

Antonelli only needed to finish ninth, but he opted to crown himself from the podium. The Italian risked at the start to gain positions, did a very long stint and after the red flag he attacked Charles Leclerc to finish third. He celebrates his title from the podium alongside Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, quite something.

The victory went to a colossal Verstappen once again. Even starting on harder tires than the others, the Dutchman climbed back to second, breaking up Ferrari who once again preferred to fight among themselves rather than against the field. Hamilton overtook Leclerc, the Monégasque cut the corner and in the end both finished behind Verstappen.

Leclerc received a five-second penalty, which cost him the lead in the pits against a skilled Red Bull, which chose to push the tires to the limit so Verstappen could race in clean air. A strange crash involving Valtteri Bottas due to a suspension failure triggered the red flag and changed everything.

On the restart Leclerc committed a flagrant mistake, locking onto his tyres and ruining his race. Hamilton attacked, but Verstappen closed the door. The Dutchman moves to second in the standings, followed by Hamilton and a faded George Russell, sixth and again dealing with power deployment issues.

Lando Norris was unable to pass Leclerc with his plan, while Oscar Piastri put the other McLaren into seventh after sending Arvid Lindblad into the wall, in an action that triggered a Safety Car and that will be investigated by the stewards after the race, potentially costing him positions.

Franco Colapinto would finish eighth, but he also faces a possible penalty for a yellow-flag infringement. Ninth was Liam Lawson, climbing from the back of the grid, while Pierre Gasly ended tenth, grabbing the final point. Debutant Ryo Hirakawa completed the race in thirteenth.

Aston Martin’s debacle. Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll were forced to retire in the early laps due to Honda engine problems, which gave up at the altitude of Mexico City. As for Carlos Sainz, he could only manage fifteenth, behind his teammate, with a Williams that is falling further back.

Resultados carrera Fórmula 1 GP México 2026

Formula 1 Standings

1st. Kimi ANTONELLI (Mercedes-ITA), 380 points

2nd. Max VERSTAPPEN (Red Bull-HOL), 261 points

3rd. Lewis HAMILTON (Ferrari-GBR), 259 points

4th. George RUSSELL (Mercedes-GBR), 250 points

5th. Charles LECLERC (Ferrari-MON), 245 points

Images | Haas, Mercedes