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Kimi Antonelli finished third at the Mexico Grand Prix to become Formula One’s youngest world champion at age 20, as Max Verstappen won the race.
Kimi Antonelli is lifted by Lewis Hamilton (right) and Max Verstappen as he celebrates his title after the Mexico Grand Prix. (AP Photo)
Kimi Antonelli has etched his name into Formula One history, becoming the youngest world champion after securing third place at the Mexico Grand Prix in a dramatic race on Sunday. At just 20 years and 68 days old, the Mercedes driver becomes the youngest title winner, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record by more than three years.
Max Verstappen claimed victory on the day, but the spotlight belonged firmly to the young Italian.
Antonelli also ends a 73-year wait for an Italian Formula One world champion, becoming the first driver from his country to lift the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
“We did it. I wouldn’t be here without Mercedes, without my family,” said an emotional Antonelli who has won nine races so far this season. “I am very grateful for this moment, it will be with me forever. I am speechless, just trying to process what happened. It’s been an incredible season and to share this podium with Max and Lewis (Hamilton) is incredible. I am looking forward to some more battles in the future.”
The Grand Prix, after a major incident, was halted on lap 46 of the scheduled 71.
Cadillac’s Valtteri Bottas suffered a front-left suspension failure, causing the wheel to buckle and leaving him unable to control the car as it slid backwards off the circuit before crashing heavily into the barriers. The 37-year-old Finn took some time to climb out of the wreckage but eventually emerged safely, acknowledging the spectators with a wave as the remaining drivers returned to the pit lane ahead of the restart.
For Antonelli, the situation was relatively straightforward. Needing only a top-nine finish to guarantee the championship, he was comfortably placed in third when the red flag came out, behind race leader Verstappen and Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
His closest championship rival and Mercedes teammate George Russell, meanwhile, had seen his hopes fade following a difficult opening phase. Starting second on the grid, Russell dropped to fifth and struggled with power-related issues, leaving him with little chance of mounting a serious challenge. Victory was the only result that could have kept his title ambitions alive.
Hamilton, who started from pole position, also needed a win to keep Antonelli from securing the championship. The Ferrari driver was left frustrated by an opening-lap incident involving teammate Leclerc, who went off the circuit and emerged with the lead. Although Leclerc received a five-second penalty, he managed to maintain his advantage over Hamilton.
The restart brought a change in the order. Hamilton made an immediate move, overtaking both Antonelli and Leclerc before making contact with Verstappen as the two drivers battled for position. He eventually settled into second place behind the Red Bull driver.
The drama was not over, however. With 10 laps remaining, another yellow flag was triggered when Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad crashed out following contact with McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Through the late-race chaos, Antonelli remained composed and held on to third place, securing the championship without taking unnecessary risks. As he crossed the finish line in tears, he was accompanied by two of Formula One’s greatest names, Verstappen and Hamilton, whose careers account for a combined 11 world championships.
With AFP Inputs
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Ask News18At 20 years and 68 days old, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured third place at the Mexico Grand Prix to become the youngest Formula One world champion in history, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record.
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Feroz Khan has been covering sports for over 12 years now and is currently working with Network18 as Principal Correspondent. He embarked on his journey in 2011 and has since acquired vast experience …Read More
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