Antonelli Becomes Youngest F1 Champion

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli finished third at the Mexico Grand Prix, becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at the age of 20. The first Italian champion since 1953, Antonelli broke down in tears over the team radio after crossing the finish line.

In the race, Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finished second after making contact with his teammate Charles Leclerc, despite starting from pole position. Leclerc finished fourth, McLaren's outgoing champion Lando Norris was fifth, and Antonelli's teammate George Russell was sixth. Russell needed to win the race.

The race featured two safety car periods, multiple crashes and a 33-minute stoppage. The stoppage ended with 25 laps remaining of the 71-lap race. Antonelli's engineer, Peter Bonnington, also congratulated him on the title.

Antonelli's overall points lead grew to 119 points. Max Verstappen is second in the standings and Hamilton is third. Russell dropped to fourth, 130 points behind. In the constructors' standings, Mercedes leads with 630 points and Ferrari is second with 504. Mercedes could secure the constructors' title next week in Brazil.

The previous youngest champion, Sebastian Vettel, won his first Red Bull title in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 134 days.