Antonelli seals F1 title at 20 as Verstappen wins Mexican Grand Prix

UPDATE - follow‑up to Mexican Formula One Grand Prix: Kimi Antonelli aims to seal title – live: 20‑year‑old Kimi Antonelli clinched the world championship as the Mexican Grand Prix concluded.

Race Summary

Max Verstappen took victory, followed by Lewis Hamilton in second and Antonelli in third. Verstappen stopped at the award ceremony, hugged Antonelli’s family and then the champion himself. Team‑mate George Russell also ran up for a handshake and a hug. The provisional order listed Verstappen, Hamilton, Antonelli, Charles Leclerc, Lando Norris, Russell, Oscar Piastri, Colapinto, Liam Lawson, Pierre Gasly and others down to Sergio Perez. Two investigations were noted: a Gasly‑Lawson clash and a Piastri‑Lindblad incident that stewards would review after the race. Key moments included Hamilton never getting close enough to challenge Verstappen, Norris repeatedly trying and failing to overtake Leclerc, and Leclerc’s tyre showing severe wear. Liam Lawson, who started from the pit lane, fought his way up to tenth place in the points. Antonelli lifted his visor and wiped away tears after confirming the title. The final laps saw the top three pull away, leaving the rest of the field battling for lower positions.

Context

The Mexican Grand Prix was the decisive round of the 2026 Formula One season, with the drivers’ championship decided by the final race. Antonelli’s win makes him the youngest world champion in F1 history, highlighting the rise of new talent in the sport.