Kimi Antonelli Clinches F1 Title as Max Verstappen Wins Mexico City Grand Prix

OPA WIRE, Nov 1 (OPA) — Kimi Antonelli made history at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday, finishing third to clinch the 2026 Formula 1 world championship. At 20 years old, the Italian driver becomes the youngest champion in the sport's history, marking the first time an Italian has secured the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. Max Verstappen of Red Bull took the checkered flag, followed by Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in second place.

Franco Colapinto delivered a strong performance for the field, securing eighth place after starting from the 11th position. The 23-year-old Argentine driver gained four spots during the opening lap and successfully managed his tire strategy to outperform his Alpine teammate, Pierre Gasly, who finished tenth. This result marks a return to the points for Colapinto after a four-race drought.

The race was defined by tactical maneuvering and a mid-race red flag caused by a collision involving Valtteri Bottas. The incident necessitated repairs to the circuit's safety barriers and a medical intervention for the Finnish driver. Following the restart, the field faced intense competition, with Colapinto navigating through a series of battles against Oscar Piastri and Liam Lawson to maintain his position within the top ten.

Attention now shifts to South America for the upcoming San Pablo Grand Prix in Brazil. Colapinto is expected to draw significant support from traveling Argentine fans as the season enters its final stages. The championship victory for Antonelli concludes a dominant campaign for the Mercedes driver, solidifying his status as the sport's newest premier talent.