Antonelli clinches F1 title as youngest champion at 20

Kimi Antonelli clinched the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship on Sunday by finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, becoming the youngest champion in the sport’s history at 20 years and 68 days old. Max Verstappen won the race, with Lewis Hamilton second. Antonelli’s podium gave him an unassailable lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell and Hamilton, who drives for Ferrari. The result made Antonelli the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Sebastian Vettel, who won his first championship at 23 years and 133 days old in 2010, had held the age record. Antonelli thanked Mercedes and his family over the team radio after the finish. He later said he was grateful for the moment and was still trying to process the title. Hamilton, his predecessor at Mercedes, embraced him after the race, while Verstappen and Hamilton joined Antonelli on the podium. The championship was decided with four rounds remaining on the announced calendar. Formula 1’s statistical breakdown noted that this depends on the final four races proceeding as scheduled; the status of the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grands Prix remains uncertain. The next scheduled races are in Brazil and...