Antonelli Becomes Formula 1 World Champion at 20

The 19th race of the season, run over 71 laps in Mexico City, turned into a championship celebration beyond the on-track battle. Antonelli started the race 123 points ahead of his teammate George Russell and finished in third place. With this result, he extended his points lead over his rivals to 119 and mathematically secured the championship.

Antonelli, who won nine races this season, was recorded as the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. When the race ended, he was overcome with tears as congratulatory messages came over the radio.

The title is also an important result for Italy. Giuseppe Farina won the championship in 1950, the first season of Formula 1, and Alberto Ascari won back-to-back titles in 1952 and 1953. Antonelli's title brings Italy a drivers' championship celebration for the first time in 73 years.

The critical moment of the race came on lap 45. Valtteri Bottas suffered a left front tyre blowout at high speed and his car hit the barrier at the end of the straight. After the crash, the track was stopped with red flags and the race was paused for a while.

After the race resumed, Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished first with a time of 2 hours, 20 minutes and 28.772 seconds. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton finished second, 0.799 seconds behind the leader. Antonelli finished third, 4.006 seconds behind Verstappen.

After getting out of the cockpit, Antonelli celebrated his victory by first embracing his family in the stands, then the technical team and his teammates in the garage.