Kimi Antonelli has been crowned Formula 1 world champion after securing the title in Mexico. At 20, the Italian became the youngest driver in history to win the championship, completing a season in which he combined speed, aggression, intelligence and consistency more effectively than his rivals.
Mercedes gave Antonelli a strong foundation, but the competitive order shifted throughout the season. He made the most of that platform even when other teams had the faster package, managing his advantages and limiting the damage during difficult weekends. His achievement also makes him only the third Italian driver to win the world championship, more than 70 years after Italy’s last title.
Antonelli finished on the podium in Mexico after passing Charles Leclerc following the restart. The result allowed him to celebrate a championship that he had been steadily approaching for several weeks. The emotional scenes involving the driver, his family and Mercedes became the defining images of the weekend.
The race itself offered far less excitement. Neutralisations and a red flag changed the circumstances, but overtaking remained scarce. Lando Norris spent much of the race behind George Russell without finding a way past, and he was also unable to overtake Leclerc late in the event. The interruptions created changes in the running order without solving the underlying lack of opportunities for drivers with more pace.
Valtteri Bottas hit the wall and caused the red flag. Later, an accident involving Lindblad and Oscar Piastri brought out the safety car. Both drivers escaped without physical consequences.
Max Verstappen won in Mexico for the sixth time, underlining Red Bull’s continuing recovery. He started on medium tyres, switched to softs and emerged ahead of Leclerc. After the red flag, Verstappen led at the restart, with Lewis Hamilton behind him, while Leclerc locked up heavily and then lost another position to Antonelli.
Ferrari had begun the weekend with Hamilton taking pole by a very small margin over Russell, but the opening lap created further controversy. Hamilton left Leclerc without enough room, sending both cars off the track, and Leclerc received a five-second penalty. Radio complaints added to the tension, while Russell was given a 10-second penalty for contact with Isack Hadjar.
Aston Martin’s race ended almost immediately. Fernando Alonso retired on the sixth lap, followed by Lance Stroll one lap later. Both cars were eliminated with the season already entering its final phase, another difficult moment for a project still searching for consistency.
Despite the disappointing competition in Mexico, Antonelli’s championship was clear. He had built his case throughout the season and secured the title on the podium, delivering the kind of finish he wanted.
Sources: elDiario.es.