Kimi Antonelli seals the world title with third in Mexico, while Verstappen wins a dramatic race and Hamilton fumes at Leclerc.
Kimi Antonelli is Formula 1 world champion. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver sealed the crown with third place at the Mexican Grand Prix, with four races still to run, and with it he becomes the youngest champion the sport has ever seen.
He did it with the composure of a veteran. Antonelli kept his head through a race that never settled, finished on the podium, and left his rivals with no way to catch him. It is his first world title, and it makes him the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
The win itself went to Red Bull's Max Verstappen after plenty of drama in Mexico City. Lewis Hamilton took second for Ferrari, but he was far from happy. He was visibly angry with teammate Charles Leclerc, who crossed the line fourth, and that tension will follow Ferrari into the next round.
For Mercedes, the title is a milestone. It is the team's first drivers' championship since Hamilton won in 2020, and the 10th in its history. With four races left, Antonelli can now race freely as the champion.
