Kimi Antonelli becomes Formula One's youngest world champion
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver secured the title after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli became Formula One’s youngest world champion on Sunday, finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The 20-year-old, 68-day-old Italian is the first driver from his country to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, according to Al Jazeera and The Pioneer.
Antonelli's third-place finish at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez gave him an unassailable 119-point lead in the overall standings. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen won the race, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took second place after a clash with teammate Charles Leclerc.
The race was interrupted by a 33-minute halt after Valtteri Bottas suffered a high-speed front-left suspension failure on lap 46 of 71. Bottas's Cadillac hit the barriers at turn one, but the driver was released from the medical centre after receiving attention.
Antonelli, who had won nine races this season, expressed his emotions over the team radio and to the crowd. "I’m speechless. I’m trying to process what has just happened," he said, adding that sharing the podium with Verstappen and Hamilton was incredible.
The race also saw a collision between Arvid Lindblad and Oscar Piastri, resulting in a safety car with nine laps remaining. Mercedes currently holds 630 points in the constructors’ standings, while Ferrari has 504 points.
Mercedes could clinch the constructors' title in Brazil next weekend.