Antonelli becomes F1’s youngest champion as Verstappen wins in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix, according to BBC Sport. Max Verstappen won the race ahead of Lewis Hamilton, while Antonelli secured the title in only his second season. The Mercedes driver turned 20 in August.

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Ferrari’s opening-lap contest helped shape the race. BBC Sport reported that Charles Leclerc cut a chicane to move ahead of Hamilton, who also lost a place to Verstappen during the exchange. Hamilton subsequently argued that the Ferrari drivers had sacrificed a chance to control the race by fighting each other instead of working together.

Hamilton called for private discussions within Ferrari after the finish. Leclerc said he would speak to his team-mate, but maintained that both drivers had missed the corner and defended keeping his position with Verstappen between them. Verstappen, meanwhile, acknowledged that Ferrari’s internal contest had given him an opportunity to take advantage of their pace without facing a united challenge.

Antonelli’s championship followed a strong opening to the season. In a separate account of his development, BBC Sport reported that he claimed six victories and six pole positions in the first 11 races, building a 50-point championship lead. Mercedes subsequently faced stronger competition from McLaren and then Red Bull, but Antonelli continued to feature near the front as the season progressed.

His breakthrough came after an uneven debut campaign in 2025. BBC Sport’s account described how a rear-suspension change unsettled the car and undermined his confidence during the European races. Mercedes had prepared him for his debut with more than 20 days of testing in older machinery. Team principal Toto Wolff said he had retained confidence in Antonelli despite doubts elsewhere inside and outside the team.

One of Antonelli’s significant victories this season came at Monza, where an engine penalty left him starting 19th. With a safety car helping his recovery, he caught and passed team-mate George Russell in the closing laps to win. That performance followed practice crashes at the same circuit in 2024 and 2025; his third place in Mexico has now added a world championship to his second-year achievements.