Max Verstappen won the race. Kimi Antonelli claimed the championship. For Lewis Hamilton, a dramatic Mexican Grand Prix ended with second place — and the sight of his former team celebrating Formula 1’s newest world champion.
Verstappen charged from fifth on the grid to victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez on Sunday, holding off Hamilton as Antonelli finished third to secure his first Drivers’ Championship. (formula1.com)
At 20 years and 68 days old, Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record and delivering Italy’s first drivers’ title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. (skysports.com)
Verstappen takes his opportunity
Starting fifth left Verstappen with work to do, but an explosive opening lap brought him straight into contention.
As Ferrari teammates Hamilton and Charles Leclerc fought over the lead, Verstappen seized his opportunity. Leclerc received a penalty for cutting the track during their opening-lap battle, and the Red Bull driver emerged at the front.
Hamilton challenged again after the race’s standing restart, but Verstappen kept control. At the flag, just 0.799 seconds separated them. (formula1.com)
Antonelli delivers on the biggest stage
Behind that fight, Antonelli completed the task that mattered most.
He arrived needing ninth place to guarantee the championship, regardless of his rivals’ results. Third delivered considerably more than the minimum.
Through a race interrupted by a red flag and a late Safety Car, the Mercedes driver maintained his composure and secured the podium finish that confirmed his place in history. (fia.com)
Hamilton and the question nobody can answer
For Hamilton, the occasion carried an unmistakable connection to his own past.
Mercedes — the team with which he won six of his seven championships — was celebrating another driver’s coronation. Its first Drivers’ Championship since Hamilton’s 2020 success now belonged to Antonelli. (theguardian.com)
For viewers who read sadness in Hamilton’s expression, the scene invited an obvious question: could that have been his eighth title had he stayed?
It is a powerful sporting “what if”, but it remains speculation. An expression cannot tell us what Hamilton was thinking, and Antonelli’s success does not prove Hamilton would have achieved the same result in his place.
There was also a warmer image: Hamilton and Verstappen lifting the new champion onto their shoulders, acknowledging the young driver’s achievement together. (skysports.com)
Mexico ultimately belonged to Antonelli. Verstappen took the victory, Hamilton pushed him to the finish, but the Mercedes driver left with the prize that defined the afternoon: a world championship, and a record that now bears his name.