KIMI ANTONELLI IS WORLD CHAMPION AS VERSTAPPEN WINS IN MEXICO

Round ninteen of 2026 and it was the turn of the Mexican Grand Prix. A race that was really all about the young Italian driver - Kimi Andrea Antonelli, the newest Formula One World Champion. He shares the podium with Lewis Hamilton and Max Vertsappen who between them have dominated Formula One and have so many records of thier own.

Pole sitter Lewis Hamilton got away well from pole as George Russell was a little slow off the line, with Charles Leclerc puts himslef into second with Verstappen in third, all while the fight for the lead takes shape the second Red Bull of Isack Hadjar spins whilst his teammate passes Hamilton for second all whilst Leclerc has taken the lead alongside going off the track.

It only took seven laps for it all to go so wrong once again for the Aston Martin team as Lance Stroll is told to stop his car while Alonso is able to pit and retires at the same time.

It was on lap forty three when Antonelli pitted from first and is the last driver in the race to make a pit stop, this means Verstappen takes over the lead of the race ahead of Leclerc in second and Hamilton in third. Antonelli rejoins in fourth.

The very next lap (lap forty four) it's a big crash for the Cadillac of Valtteri Bottas - a full Safety Car has been deployed.

A suspension failure for Bottas at around 200mph heading into turn one. (Pictured below)

On lap forty six the race is red flagged to give time to recover the Cadillac and repair the barriers at the end of turn one.

We get back underway with a standing start on lap forty seven with Verstappen staying in the lead just ahead of Lewis Hamilton with Leclerc in third having a massive lock up into turn one, which flat spots his front right massivley but he is somehow able to keep ahead of Lando Norris who is pushing hard behind him.

On the next lap with his tyres in perfect condition its champion elect Kimi Antonelli who makes an excellent move on Leclerc for third into turn one and further confirms his championship win in this race.

The fourth retirement came on lap forty nine with the Haas of Ollie Bearman is retired from the race, after contact with the Audi of Nico Hulkenberg

Ten laps later we get our final moment of drama and our fifth retirement with Arvid Lindblad in the wall at turn twp and the Racing Bull is out. Another Safety Car is deployed, to recover the stricken car number forty one. It was contact with Piastri going into the corner, that caused Lindblads retirment.

We get back underway on lap sixty three with Verstappen staying put in first, Hamilton second and Antonelli in third.

Antonelli crossed the line in third, meaning he is the 2026 Formula One World Champion, the first Italian driver to win it since 1953. He also becomes the youngest ever World Champion at just 20 years old beating the previous record held by Sebastian Vettel at 23 years old when he won his maiden title in 2010.

Antonelli becomes the 73rd Formula One World Champion. He is now forever in F1 history.

The next race is the Brazilian Grand Prix.

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