Kimi Antonelli has been crowned Formula 1 World Champion, securing the title in dramatic fashion at the Mexico Grand Prix on November 1st, 2026. The 20-year-old Italian driver finished third in the race, while Max Verstappen claimed victory and Lewis Hamilton secured second place, as reported by beIN SPORTS Türkiye.
Antonelli’s Historic Championship Win
Antonelli’s third-place finish at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez was enough to clinch the championship with four races still remaining in the season, according to Ensonhaber. The Mercedes AMG F1 driver’s victory marks a historic moment, making him the youngest ever Formula 1 World Champion at 20 years and 68 days old, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record set in 2010. A Spor highlighted the significance of this achievement, noting it’s the first time an Italian driver has won the championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Verstappen Victorious, Hamilton Second
Despite Antonelli’s championship-winning performance, the race itself was dominated by Max Verstappen, who took the chequered flag for Red Bull Racing. Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari finished in second place, as detailed by Konya Postası Gazetesi. The race, consisting of 71 laps, was punctuated by incidents including safety car deployments and a red flag period due to Valtteri Bottas’s crash, Motorsport.com reported.
KIMI ANTONELLI IS THE 2026 F1 WORLD CHAMPION!!! 🏆The youngest to ever do it at 20 years and 68 days old!#F1 #MexicoGP pic.twitter.com/AtRw2RZsg9
The Qualifying Battle and Hamilton’s Return to Form
The weekend began with a strong performance from Lewis Hamilton, who secured pole position for Ferrari, ending a three-year drought, A Spor detailed. Antonelli qualified fifth but moved up to fourth on the grid due to a penalty imposed on Verstappen, according to Autobond.
Antonelli’s Championship Path
Prior to the Mexico Grand Prix, Antonelli held a substantial lead in the championship standings. Autobond noted that he entered the race needing only nine points to secure the title. The young Italian driver had already achieved nine wins in the first 18 races of the season, setting him on course for this historic moment. Haber7 emphasized that Antonelli’s success also breaks a 73-year drought for an Italian world champion in Formula 1.
Mercedes’ Return to Glory
Antonelli's championship victory also marks an important achievement for Mercedes, ending a championship drought that began in 2020. Ensonhaber highlighted that this is the first championship win for the team since Lewis Hamilton’s triumph in 2020. Antonelli’s success represents a revitalization for the Silver Arrows following a period without a driver’s championship.
What’s Next for Formula 1
With the championship decided, the focus now shifts to the remaining four races of the season. The next Grand Prix is scheduled for Brazil on November 8th, 2026. Ensonhaber reported this, and the season will conclude with races in Las Vegas, Abu Dhabi, and Sao Paulo, giving Antonelli an opportunity to further cement his place in Formula 1 history.
The season’s final stages will also determine the constructors’ championship, with Red Bull and McLaren currently tied on 355 points, and promised a thrilling conclusion to the 2026 Formula 1 season, according to Autobond.