Antonelli becomes F1's youngest champion as Verstappen wins chaotic Mexico City GP

Kimi Antonelli needed only ninth place to clinch the Formula 1 drivers’ title at the Mexico City Grand Prix, but finished third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. At 20 years and 68 days, he became F1’s youngest champion, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record by three years and becoming the first Italian to win the drivers’ crown since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Verstappen started fifth after a one-place grid penalty for a second-practice clash with Liam Lawson, then took his fourth win of the campaign and the fastest lap.

Ferrari had a genuine shot at victory: Hamilton started from pole and Charles Leclerc from third. Their fight over position on the opening lap left Leclerc with a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage without giving the place back. As Leclerc served the penalty at a pit stop, Red Bull brought Verstappen in too; he jumped ahead of Leclerc for the lead. Hamilton finished second, and Ferrari’s chance at victory had gone.

Ryo Hirakawa was Haas’s surprise success. Called up on Saturday after Esteban Ocon was dropped, the 32-year-old became F1’s oldest race debutant since Andre Lotterer in 2014. Post-race penalties moved rivals down the order and lifted Hirakawa to 10th, earning him a point on his first Grand Prix appearance.

George Russell qualified on the front row, but an electrical deployment problem from the start to Turn 1 left him fighting back. He later hit Isack Hadjar’s Red Bull at Turn 6, spun him and received a 10-second penalty. A slow pit stop cost Russell fifth place to Lando Norris, leaving him sixth.

Ocon’s weekend ended before the race. He was involved in a tense Friday-practice dispute with his race engineer over tyre-running plans; Haas announced on Saturday morning that he had been dropped. Ocon later confirmed there had been internal disagreements but denied rumours that a physical altercation was the reason for his exit. Haas said the decision was not health-related but gave no detailed disciplinary explanation; whether Ocon would return for the remaining races was still unclear.