During the 2026 Formula 1 Mexico City Grand Prix, Kimi Antonelli secured the Drivers’ World Championship, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history. The Mercedes driver finished third in the race at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, a result sufficient to clinch his maiden title.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Lewis Hamilton taking second place for Ferrari. Antonelli’s third-place finish positioned him ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who completed the top four.
Antonelli, aged 20 years, two months, and seven days, surpassed Sebastian Vettel’s previous record to become Formula 1’s youngest World Champion. He is also the first Italian driver to win the F1 title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The Italian started the race from fourth position on the grid. He required only a ninth-place finish to guarantee the championship, regardless of his rivals’ performances.
Antonelli managed his soft tyres effectively during the initial stint, extending their life beyond 40 laps. This strategy positioned him strongly for a podium finish.
A red flag interruption, caused by a crash involving Valtteri Bottas’s Cadillac, reset the race order and negated Antonelli’s tyre advantage.
Following the restart, Antonelli, who had resumed in fourth, executed a decisive overtake on Charles Leclerc into Turn 1 to regain third position.
He ultimately crossed the finish line 4.006 seconds behind race winner Max Verstappen.
Post-race, Antonelli stated he intentionally slowed on the final lap due to impaired vision caused by tears. He expressed concern about crashing if he maintained full pace.
“Then, of course, on the last lap, I just backed off because I just couldn’t see the track. I was getting emotional, and I said, ‘I’m just going to back off because otherwise I crash here.’ So, it was just good to bring it home.”
Mercedes Team Principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli, describing him as a ‘new kind of racing driver’ and a ‘role model’ for his humility and integrity.
Wolff also reflected on the ‘calculated risk’ Mercedes took in promoting Antonelli to Formula 1.
Antonelli joined the Mercedes junior driver programme at the age of 12. He was confirmed in the 2026 Mercedes lineup alongside George Russell in October 2025.
His 2026 base salary is reported at $3.4 million, with potential performance bonuses that could increase his total earnings to $15.4 million.
This championship marks Mercedes’ first Drivers’ title since Lewis Hamilton’s victory in 2020.
Antonelli has secured nine Grand Prix victories throughout the 2026 season.
On the podium, Antonelli was lifted by Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, a moment he intends to commemorate by framing a photograph.
The final classification for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix was as follows:
1. Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) 3. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) 4. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 5. Lando Norris (McLaren) 6. George Russell (Mercedes) 7. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) 8. Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi) 9. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) 10. Ryo Hirakawa (Haas)
Post-race penalties were applied to several drivers, including Oscar Piastri, Franco Colapinto, and Pierre Gasly, affecting the final standings outside the top six.
