Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest Formula 1 world champion with third place in Mexico

Summary

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest Formula 1 world champion in the sport's history at 20 years old, clinching the title with third place at the Mexican Grand Prix with four races to go. Max Verstappen won the race ahead of Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli is the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, and it is Mercedes' first drivers' championship since Hamilton won in 2020 and the team's 10th overall. Antonelli fought back tears after the win, remembering his grandfather, and fellow drivers praised the new champion, while Hamilton also delivered a stern rebuke to Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   1 Nov 2026, 22:27 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Antonelli clinched the title with third place in the Mexican Grand Prix, a race won by Verstappen ahead of Hamilton, and that he is the youngest driver to claim the crown and the first Italian to do so since Ascari in 1953.

2. Channel NewsAsia

   1 Nov 2026, 22:32 UTCSource ↗

   Channel NewsAsia reports that Kimi Antonelli became the youngest F1 champion at 20 years old, and that the Mercedes driver is the first Italian champion since 1953.

3. BBC

   1 Nov 2026, 23:20 UTCSource ↗

   BBC Sport reports that Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history as Max Verstappen won the Mexico City Grand Prix.

4. The Guardian

   2 Nov 2026, 03:05 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Antonelli, moved to tears while remembering his grandfather, took his debut title with third place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, and that fellow drivers including Hamilton praised him while Hamilton rebuked Ferrari's Charles Leclerc.