Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest world champion in Formula 1 history

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli secured the Formula 1 World Championship title with five rounds to spare after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

At 20 years, two months and seven days old, the Italian became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. Antonelli is the 36th driver to win the title and the third Italian to do so, following Giuseppe Farina and Alberto Ascari.

Max Verstappen (Red Bull) won the Mexico City Grand Prix, claiming his 74th career victory and third win of the season. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) finished second.

Antonelli arrived in Mexico City with a 123-point lead over his closest rival, George Russell. A ninth-place finish would have been enough for him to secure the championship.

Hamilton topped qualifying, claiming the 105th pole position of his career and his first with Ferrari. Russell joined him on the front row, while Charles Leclerc and Antonelli lined up on the second row.

Hamilton retained the lead at the start, but his Ferrari team-mate Leclerc challenged him at Turn 4. The two cars made contact, with both drivers running off the track. Leclerc emerged in the lead, Verstappen moved into second, and Hamilton dropped to third. Leclerc later received a five-second penalty.

After the first round of pit stops, Verstappen moved into the lead ahead of Leclerc and Hamilton. On lap 45, a Safety Car was deployed following a crash involving Valtteri Bottas. The race was subsequently red-flagged.

After a delay of around 40 minutes, the race resumed with a standing restart. Verstappen retained the lead, while Hamilton and Antonelli overtook Leclerc to move into second and third respectively.

The Safety Car was deployed again on lap 59 following Arvid Lindblad's crash. Racing resumed on lap 63. Hamilton tried to close the gap to Verstappen, but the Red Bull driver maintained his advantage and went on to take victory.

Hamilton finished second, while Antonelli secured third place to claim his maiden world championship title with five rounds remaining.

The Formula 1 season continues next week with the São Paulo Grand Prix.