Kimi Antonelli clinches first Formula 1 title at Mexico Grand Prix

Italian driver Kimi Antonelli won the 2026 Formula 1 World Drivers' Championship after finishing third at the Mexico Grand Prix, securing enough points to clinch the title. Antonelli, who has won five consecutive races this season, said he eased off on the final lap because visibility was poor and he wanted to avoid a crash.

Mercedes also secured the Constructors' Championship as its drivers finished ahead of rivals, despite a less dominant car compared with earlier in the season. Team principal Toto Wolff and former talent scout Gwen Lagrue were credited with identifying and developing Antonelli from karting to the senior team.

Ferrari struggled with engine performance, and internal tensions were highlighted after a collision between teammates Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton, which resulted in a five-second penalty for Leclerc. Hamilton called for "serious talks" with the team, and Ferrari team boss Fred Vasseur reminded drivers to respect the staff.

Max Verstappen finished second, extending his lead in the drivers' standings with a third win in four races. He capitalised on early incidents involving the Ferrari pair and maintained his pace throughout the race.

Cadillac and its driver Valtteri Bottas experienced reliability problems, with Bottas retiring after a suspension failure on the first lap. Team principal Marcin Budkowski acknowledged the need for improved reliability and operational standards as the team prepares for 2027.

Aston Martin and Honda also faced difficulties, with Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll retiring early due to power-unit pressure issues, underscoring ongoing reliability concerns for the manufacturers.