Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 world champion; Verstappen wins Mexico GP

Mexico City: Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli made Formula One history on Sunday by becoming the youngest-ever world champion at 20 years and 68 days, securing the 2026 title with a third-place finish at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Red Bull's Max Verstappen won the race, with Lewis Hamilton finishing second.

Antonelli surpassed Sebastian Vettel's previous record of 23 years and 134 days, set when the German won his maiden championship in 2010.

Starting fourth at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez, Antonelli needed only a top-nine finish to secure the title, irrespective of the results of his championship rivals Hamilton and Mercedes teammate George Russell.

The Italian maintained his position among the frontrunners despite a red flag following a crash involving Valtteri Bottas and a late safety car triggered by Arvid Lindblad's accident.

Verstappen secured his third victory of the season, finishing 0.799 seconds ahead of Hamilton after starting fifth on the grid. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took fourth, followed by McLaren's Lando Norris and Russell.

Antonelli now holds an unassailable 119-point lead in the championship standings. Verstappen has moved into second place, while Russell has dropped to fourth, 130 points behind his teammate.

The Formula One season continues with the Sao Paulo Grand Prix in Brazil from November 6 to 8.

With IANS inputs