Kimi Antonelli Becomes F1 World Champion In Mexican Grand Prix

 

Kimi Antonelli has become the 2026 F1 World champion after finishing in podium position, as Max Verstappen won the Mexican Grand Prix. 

The Italian driver became the youngest Formula One driver, 20, to win the F1 Championship title Also, he is the first Mercedes' driver to win the title since 2020 when Lewis Hamilton - now driving  for Ferrari - won it for the team. Mercedes remain the contractors' standings leaders with 630 points, followed by Ferrari in second with 504 points. 

Starting in pole at the Mexican GP was Lewis Hamilton, who led the qualifying session on Saturday - his first pole since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023 - and in P2 was George Russell who closely trailed Lewis with 0.009 second. The first lap was challenging for Lewis, as Charles Leclerc overtook at Turn 1.  Behind the front row was chaos, as Russell collided with Isack Hadjar and Fernando Alonso spun off the track, packing the car by the wall, and VSC was deployed. 

The race later witnessed a series of incidences, involving Valterri Bottas and Arvid Lindblad, causing safety car deployments. However, Lewis had fantastic race, closely chasing Verstappen to the chequered flag to make the podium. Leclerc held off a challenge from Lando Norris as the McLaren trailed him in the final laps.

Antonelli becomes the third Italian driver to lift the Formula One trophy. With four races remaining before the season closes, Antonelli leads the drivers' standings with 380 points, followed by Verstappen with 261 point. In third is Lewis with 259 points, and Russell in fourth with 250 points. 

Pit Stop and Penalty

Russell received a ten-second penalty for causing a collision and Leclerc was given a five-secomd penalty for leaving the track, while contending with Lewis for provisional pole on Lap 1. 

Leclerc pitted first, serving the penalty in the pit. Verstappen pitted just after him, enabling him to have a track positiom to take the lead after Hamilton pitted. Russell also served his penalty in the pit. However, Lando Norris' pitted after Lewis, but changing his tyres was slowing, costing six seconds. 

Safety Car and DNF 

The first full safety  car deployed happened on Lap 44 when Valterri Bottas ran off the track at Turn 1, and crashed into the wall. The incident was caused by his Cadillac's front wheel having a suspension failure.

Safety car was also deployed when Arvid Lindblad DNF. It was the Red Bull driver's first official DNF in Formula One. The incident happened while he was exiting a corner and collided with Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver was close by him in the rear, while he was negotiating the inside lane to keep track position. He damaged his rear wheels in the collision and retired from the race. 

On lap 1, Virtual safety car was deployed over Hadjar spinning off the track after colliding with Russell. Also, due to Alonso being forced off track, and packing his Aston Martin by wall.  

 Mexican Grand Prix Top 10

1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull)...2:20:28.772s

2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari)

3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes)

4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari)

5. Lando Norris (McLaren)

6. George Russell (Mercedes)

7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bull)

8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi)

9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull)

10. Ryokan Hirakawa (Haas)