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Verstappen wins Mexican GP, Antonelli becomes youngest champion
Ferrari teammates Leclerc and Hamilton clashed early, and a heavy Bottas crash brought out a red flag.
2 Nov 2026 0 reads Compiled with AI
Max Verstappen won the 2026 Mexican Grand Prix, his third win of the season, while Kimi Antonelli finished third to take his first drivers’ championship. At 20, Antonelli became Formula 1’s youngest world champion, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s 16‑year record. He is also the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Ferrari feud splits the field
The race began with a row between Ferrari teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton. Leclerc went off track at Turn 4 while passing Hamilton and was given a five‑second penalty. Hamilton protested the decision.
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A suspension failure sent Valtteri Bottas into the barriers at Turn 1. A safety car came out, then the race was red‑flagged while the barrier was repaired. Bottas went to the medical centre but was unhurt.
Antonelli passed Leclerc for third after the restart, when Leclerc was struggling with a flat‑spotted tyre from a big lock‑up. Antonelli kept that place to the flag, and the finish was enough to seal the championship. George Russell was given a 10‑second penalty for a first‑lap clash that sent Isack Hadjar into a spin, and finished sixth.
The final podium was Verstappen, Hamilton and Antonelli. Leclerc held on to fourth ahead of Lando Norris, and the result confirmed George Russell’s title defeat.