Kimi Antonelli takes historic Formula 1 title with podium finish in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli has secured his first Formula 1 drivers' championship after finishing in third place at the Mexico City Grand Prix, setting a new benchmark as the youngest title winner in the sport's history.

At 20 years and 68 days of age, the Mercedes driver surpassed the long-standing record previously held by Sebastian Vettel by more than three years. Antonelli also ended a lengthy drought for his home country, becoming the first Italian to claim the championship crown since Alberto Ascari achieved the feat in 1953.

Red Bull's Max Verstappen claimed the grand prix victory, followed closely across the finish line by Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton. Antonelli crossed right behind them in third place to secure the necessary points to wrap up the championship with multiple rounds remaining on the calendar.

Needing only a low points-scoring result to put the title beyond reach, Antonelli ran a controlled race from start to finish. He spent the opening stint running in fourth position before cycling into the lead as rivals completed their scheduled tyre stops. After making his own pit stop, the race was halted on lap 45 following a heavy crash by Cadillac driver Valtteri Bottas, whose suspension broke under braking into the first corner.

Following the barrier repairs and subsequent restart, Charles Leclerc suffered a heavy tyre lock-up in his Ferrari, allowing Antonelli to move into third place. A late safety car period caused by a crash involving Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad set up a seven-lap sprint to the chequered flag, where Verstappen, Hamilton, and Antonelli finished separated by less than two seconds. Over team radio during his cool-down lap, Antonelli was overwhelmed with emotion before managing to say: "Thank you so much. We did it. We did it."

The grand prix also sparked significant tension inside the Ferrari garage. Hamilton had started from pole position but was aggressively challenged on the opening lap by his team-mate Leclerc, who cut across the grass at the chicane to emerge with the lead. The squabble allowed Verstappen to slip past Hamilton into second. Stewards handed Leclerc a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, though Hamilton was left frustrated after failing to find a way past Verstappen in the closing stages.

Behind the podium trio, Leclerc defended fourth place against McLaren's Lando Norris. George Russell finished sixth despite serving a 10-second penalty for a lap-one clash, while Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto, Liam Lawson, and Pierre Gasly completed the top ten. The championship now heads to Brazil for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos.