Antonelli wins F1 title at 20 as Ferrari dispute erupts in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli became Formula 1's youngest world champion with third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where Max Verstappen won ahead of Lewis Hamilton. BBC Sport reported that the result also prompted Hamilton to demand internal discussions at Ferrari after an opening-lap confrontation with team-mate Charles Leclerc.

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Leclerc went across a chicane while taking the lead from Hamilton, who then lost second place to Verstappen. Hamilton argued that Ferrari's drivers could have controlled the race by working together. His claim that their fight cost victory was his assessment, rather than a result that could be established with certainty.

Leclerc said he would discuss the incident with Hamilton, but defended retaining his position with Verstappen between the Ferraris. He also said Hamilton had forced him wide at Turn One. Verstappen credited Ferrari's internal battle with helping him win. Hamilton had voiced concern over the radio during a stoppage following Valtteri Bottas' Cadillac crash.

For Antonelli, the championship arrived in his second F1 season, having turned 20 in August. In a separate profile, BBC Sport traced his promotion to Mercedes after Hamilton's decision to join Ferrari for 2025. Before his debut, Mercedes arranged roughly 20 days of testing in older cars at circuits around the world to prepare him.

His first season included sprint pole in Miami but also a difficult European stretch. According to the BBC, a rear-suspension change unsettled the car and undermined his confidence. His progress became more evident after the championship left Europe. In 2026, he won six of the opening 11 races and took six poles, building a 50-point championship advantage.

Mercedes subsequently faced stronger opposition from McLaren and Red Bull, but Antonelli continued competing at the front. His Italian Grand Prix victory came from 19th on the grid after an engine penalty. Assisted by a safety car, he caught George Russell in the closing laps to win, before completing his championship campaign's decisive step with the podium finish in Mexico.