The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix marked a significant moment in Formula 1® history as Kimi Antonelli secured his maiden World Drivers’ Championship, becoming the youngest ever champion in the sport and the first Italian to claim the title since 1953. Starting from fourth on the grid, Antonelli delivered a composed and consistent performance, including a strong showing during a standing restart following a red flag, to finish third and clinch the championship.
Max Verstappen took victory in the race, overcoming a grid penalty to claim his third win of the season and his sixth at the Mexico City Grand Prix. Verstappen capitalized on a first-lap collision between Ferrari teammates Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, which effectively ended Ferrari’s chances of victory. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for the incident, while Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur expressed clear frustration over the clash between his drivers.
George Russell faced a challenging race weekend. Despite starting second, he dropped to sixth by the finish after a poor start, difficulties with energy deployment, and a 10-second penalty for causing a spin. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff acknowledged that the team had let Russell down during the event.
Ryo Hirakawa made his Formula 1® race debut for Haas after stepping in for Esteban Ocon mid-weekend. Hirakawa finished in tenth place, benefiting from post-race penalties that promoted him into the points. Meanwhile, Ollie Bearman retired due to damage sustained after contact with Nico Hulkenberg, who was penalized for the incident.
The race itself was marked by several interruptions, including multiple Safety Car deployments and red flags. Notable incidents involved Valtteri Bottas’s crash and a collision between Arvid Lindblad and Oscar Piastri, which contributed to the eventful nature of the Grand Prix weekend.
Kimi Antonelli’s achievement stands out not only for the championship victory but also for the historical significance of his age and nationality in the sport. Verstappen’s win added to his strong record at the Mexico City circuit, while Ferrari’s internal clash and Mercedes’ struggles highlighted the challenges faced by top teams during the race. The debut of Hirakawa and the various incidents throughout the event underscored the unpredictable and competitive nature of the 2026 season’s penultimate race.