Verstappen and Hamilton lift Kimi Antonelli on podium after Mexico City as 20-year-old clinches F1 title
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen hoisted Kimi Antonelli onto their shoulders on the podium after the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday, celebrating the Mercedes driver who became Formula 1's youngest world champion by finishing third. Verstappen won the race with Hamilton second.
Antonelli arrived in Mexico City having recorded nine race victories and 16 podium finishes this season and needed to finish ninth or better to secure the drivers' championship regardless of his rivals. He began the race fourth on the grid and stayed in contention through an event that was interrupted by a red flag after Valtteri Bottas crashed. Around Lap 48 Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc for third and then concentrated on preserving the position required to claim the title. The result completed a season built on consistent performances that had already given him a commanding place in the standings.
As the trio stood together on the podium, Hamilton and Verstappen spoke briefly before lifting Antonelli, a gesture that drew loud cheers from the crowd. The moment brought together three drivers who, in different ways, have shaped the recent eras of Formula 1.
Hamilton is a seven-time world champion and Verstappen won four consecutive titles between 2021 and 2024, while Antonelli has emerged as the newest champion at the age of 20.
Antonelli clinched the championship at 20 years and 68 days, breaking Sebastian Vettel's previous mark of 23 years and 134 days from 2010, and became the first Italian to win the world championship in 73 years. "It's a day I will remember forever," Antonelli said. "Thank you to my team, my family and everyone who supports me. It's starting to feel real now, I'm going to enjoy every bit." He also credited his team: "We had such a strong car, and we were so consistent, I knew we had a chance. Just so glad we could finish it off," he added.
Verstappen finished the race in 2:20:28.772, edging Hamilton by 0.799 seconds and registering his third win in the past four Grands Prix. "I had a very good first lap," he said. "We had a good strategy, I do think we lacked a little bit of pace but we hung in there." He added: "It was tough. I was sweating at the end to keep Lewis behind." Reflecting on Antonelli's title, Verstappen said: "It is incredible, what a season (Antonelli) has had, and to do this at such an age ... I'm sure this is a very emotional day for him, and I am very proud of him."
With four races remaining, Antonelli's championship is secured, and the main contest left in the drivers' standings is the fight for runner-up between Verstappen on 261 points and Hamilton on 259. Mercedes sit on 630 constructors' points, a 126-point lead over Ferrari, leaving the remaining rounds to decide the other placings in both championships.
