Mexico City (AFP) – Italian Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) became the youngest world champion in the history of Formula 1 after the Mexican Grand Prix won by Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), Sunday at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico.

Published on: 01/11/2026 - 23:59

Antonelli was crowned for the first time in his young career at just 20 years and 68 days old, after finishing third in a lively race behind two multiple world champions, Verstappen and Englishman Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari).

As soon as he crossed the finish line, the Italian burst into tears into his helmet and thanked his team while sobbing: “thank you very much, we did it!”.

Antonelli then got out of his car to the roar of the 30,000 fans gathered in the stands of Foro Sol. He first fell into the arms of Hamilton, with whom he is close, then of Verstappen. He then went to his parents Marco and Veronica to give them a touching hug.

“I could never have achieved this without my team and my family so a huge thank you to them. I will remember it for the rest of my life. This season has really been incredible and sharing this title with Max and Lewis makes this moment even more beautiful. I am so happy, we will be able to enjoy it for the rest of the season,” exulted the Italian.

The native of Bologna (north), who only needed two points to be crowned, was not content to control Sunday. He obtained his title with panache by landing a 16th podium in 19 Grands Prix this season, proof of his undivided domination.

– Violent exit from Bottas –

His British teammate George Russell (Mercedes) once again did not exist and quickly abandoned all hope of fending off Antonelli's coronation, while Hamilton, who had started in pole position, fought for victory until the end but failed to overtake Verstappen.

The Dutchman, who started in fifth place, still had a superb race to secure the 74th victory of his career, the third in the last four Grands Prix.

Monegasque Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), leader at the start of the race before receiving a penalty after a skirmish with Hamilton during the first lap, took fourth place, ahead of 2025 world champion Lando Norris (McLaren) and Russell.

The Top 10 is completed by the Australian Oscar Piastri (McLaren), the Argentinian Franco Colapinto (Alpine), the New Zealander Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) and the Frenchman Pierre Gasly (Alpine).

For the 300th Grand Prix of his Formula 1 career, local hero Sergio Pérez (Cadillac) finished in 17th and last place in front of his tens of thousands of supporters who nevertheless did not lose their enthusiasm.

The Grand Prix was marked by the violent accident of his Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas. At full speed at the end of the pit straight, the left front suspension of his Cadillac suddenly broke and his car crashed violently into the safety barriers.

Stunned, the Finn took a few minutes to get out of his cockpit and was taken to the medical center, where no injuries were noted.

This accident caused an interruption of the race for more than 40 minutes and led to a second start on the grid.

© 2026 AFP

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