02.11.2026 02:30
Mercedes' 20-year-old Italian driver Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 world championship by finishing the Mexican Grand Prix in 3rd place. Achieving victory with 4 races left in the season, Antonelli became the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. Max Verstappen won the race in Mexico, while Lewis Hamilton finished second.
Mercedes team's Italian driver Kimi Antonelli has become the 2026 Formula 1 world champion.
Finishing the Mexican Grand Prix, the 19th race of the season, in 3rd place, the 20-year-old Antonelli became the youngest champion in Formula 1 history.
The race, held at the 4,304-meter Hermanos Rodriguez Circuit in Mexico City, the capital, was run over 71 laps.
VERSTAPPEN WON THE RACE
Red Bull team's Dutch driver Max Verstappen won the Mexican Grand Prix with a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes, and 28.772 seconds.
Ferrari's British driver Lewis Hamilton finished second, 0.799 seconds behind the leader.
Antonelli, who has 9 race victories this season, finished third, 4.006 seconds behind Verstappen.
On the 45th lap of the race, Valtteri Bottas's front-left tire burst, causing him to spin and crash hard into the barriers at the end of the straight.
After Bottas's crash, which put him out of the race, the red flag was shown and the race was suspended for a while.
IT WAS AN INCREDIBLE SEASON
Antonelli, who stated that he was happy to be the champion of this season, emphasized that he would not have reached this level without his team and family.
The Italian driver said, "I am at a loss for words; I am trying to comprehend what just happened. It was an incredible season; sharing this podium with Max and Lewis is wonderful. I look forward to experiencing more battles in the future."
The young driver, conveying that he felt a bit more nervous this weekend, said, "I am very happy that I succeeded."
In Formula 1, where the champion was decided with 4 races remaining in the season, the next race will be held at the Brazilian Grand Prix on November 8.
CURRENT STANDINGS
Drivers
1. Kimi Antonelli (Italy): 380
2. Max Verstappen (Netherlands): 261
3. Lewis Hamilton (Great Britain): 259
4. George Russell (Great Britain): 250
5. Charles Leclerc (Monaco): 245
Teams
1. Mercedes: 630
2. Ferrari: 504
3. Red Bull: 380
4. McLaren: 371
5. Racing Bulls: 104