Kimi Antonelli has made Formula 1 history by becoming the youngest-ever world champion at the Mexico Grand Prix, while Red Bull's Max Verstappen beat Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton to take the race win. Antonelli celebrated his maiden title with a podium finish in third, underlining a mature title campaign with a controlled drive that included passing Charles Leclerc in the second half of the race.
The race was shaped by an early intra-team battle at Ferrari. Polesitter Hamilton was challenged by Leclerc for the lead, and Leclerc cut the grass to pass his team-mate. Hamilton lost momentum to Verstappen, who took advantage to snatch second. Hamilton complained he had been pushed off by his own team-mate, and both Verstappen and Hamilton felt Leclerc's five-second penalty for gaining an advantage was soft.
Verstappen seized control on lap 28 of 71 during the only pitstop of the race, switching to softs and jumping Leclerc in the pitlane. Hamilton's response, pitting for mediums, dropped the leading trio to fourth, fifth and sixth, giving Antonelli a brief spell in clear air at the front. Antonelli pitted by lap 44, ahead of a possible safety car.
Shortly afterwards, Valtteri Bottas crashed his Cadillac at Turn 1 with a left-front suspension failure, bringing out a safety car and a red flag. Bottas was taken to the medical centre and released without injuries. After a nearly 40-minute wait for barrier repairs, the race resumed on lap 47 with Verstappen leading and Hamilton immediately attacking off the line.
Source: Autosport F1 News · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing