Kimi Antonelli clinches F1 world title with third place in Mexico By Luís Henrique Costa
3 min read
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Kimi Antonelli, of Mercedes, clinched the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ world championship after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Italian needed only a ninth-place finish to seal the title, and he did it with four races still to run. The race was held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, in Mexico City.
Antonelli had won the United States Grand Prix in Austin on October 25, 2026, and entered Mexico needing only a few points to become champion. Max Verstappen, of Red Bull, won the race, with Lewis Hamilton second.
Before the race, Antonelli told a Swiss newspaper that he intended to keep the number 12 the following season, even as champion. “First, I need to finish my job in Mexico. But I think, when I reach my goal, I will keep racing with number 12,” the Italian said.
The history behind Antonelli’s choice of number 12
The number has been with Antonelli since his junior career. He used number 12 when he won the Italian and German Formula 4 championships in 2022, and he kept it for his Formula 1 debut in 2025.
The choice also pays tribute to Ayrton Senna, who raced with number 12 from 1985 to 1988 and won his first world title with that number in 1988. The figure also matches the age at which Antonelli joined Mercedes‘ young driver programme.
Before the Mexican race, Antonelli had 365 points, and he now has 380. His lead over Verstappen, who is second, stands at 119 points. The standings after the Mexican race are:
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes): 380 points
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull): 261 points
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari): 259 points
- George Russell (Mercedes): 250 points
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari): 245 points
The International Automobile Federation (FIA) allows the champion to use number 1, but does not require it. Lewis Hamilton kept number 44 after permanent race numbers were adopted in 2014, including in seasons when he could have switched to number 1 after his titles. Lando Norris has used number 1 since winning the 2025 title.
Gabriel Bortoleto finishes 11th and scores no points in Mexico
The race had a red flag after Valtteri Bottas crashed, and five drivers retired, including both Aston Martin cars. Antonelli passed Charles Leclerc late in the race to take the final podium place. Gabriel Bortoleto, the only Brazilian on the grid, finished 11th and did not score. Gaps are measured to the winner, in seconds:
- 1st: Max Verstappen (Red Bull)
- 2nd: Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), +0.799
- 3rd: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), +4.006
- 4th: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), +10.707
- 11th: Gabriel Bortoleto (Audi), +22.041
The next round is the São Paulo Grand Prix at Interlagos. Qualifying was held in rain on Saturday (7), and Lando Norris took pole position with a time of 1:27.470, ahead of George Russell and Antonelli, who was third. The race is scheduled for Sunday (8) at Interlagos, in São Paulo.
