Antonelli claims youngest F1 champion record as Verstappen wins in Mexico
The Italian clinched the championship at 20 years and 68 days, ending a 73-year wait for an Italian title winner.
Third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1 delivered the Formula 1 championship to Kimi Antonelli, making him the youngest driver to win the title. Race winner Max Verstappen finished ahead of Lewis Hamilton, with Antonelli completing the podium.
A finish of ninth or better was enough for Antonelli to secure the crown. The Italian, aged 20 years and 68 days, remained unchallenged by Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris behind him during the closing stages.
Hamilton started from pole for the first time with Ferrari, but Leclerc overtook his teammate on the opening lap by going off the track. Leclerc was given a five-second penalty and held the lead until his first stop. Verstappen began on medium tires, while both Ferraris used softs, and moved ahead during the pit stops.
The race was halted with 25 laps remaining when Valtteri Bottas crashed his Cadillac and damaged the barriers. At the subsequent standing restart, Hamilton got past Leclerc but was unable to close on Verstappen. Hamilton and Verstappen made minor contact at the first corner.
In the championship standings, Verstappen trails Antonelli by 119 points but holds a two-point advantage over Hamilton for second. Russell fell to fourth, nine points adrift of Hamilton, with Leclerc another five points behind.
