News Summary
- Max Verstappen praised Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s first Formula 1 world championship, describing the Italian’s achievement at 20 years old as extraordinary.
- The Red Bull driver admitted he struggled to keep Lewis Hamilton behind during the closing stages of his Mexican Grand Prix victory.
- Verstappen credited his opening lap and Red Bull’s strategy, acknowledging that his car lacked some pace but that the team made the correct decisions.
Max Verstappen praised Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the Mercedes driver became Formula 1’s youngest world champion at the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday (November 1). The Dutchman, who won the race ahead of Lewis Hamilton, described Antonelli’s achievement at just 20 years old as remarkable and said he was proud to see the Italian celebrate with his family and Mercedes team.
“It’s incredible, of course. What a season he had,” Verstappen said after the race. “To do that also at such an age is really, really impressive.”
Verstappen celebrates Antonelli’s historic championship
Antonelli secured the championship by finishing third in Mexico, ending Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula 1 world champion.
The Mercedes driver entered the weekend needing only ninth place to guarantee the title and completed the race on the podium behind Verstappen and Hamilton.
Antonelli became the youngest champion in F1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s previous record from 2010.
Verstappen highlighted the significance of the occasion for Antonelli and those closest to him.
“It’s amazing to see the whole team celebrating with him, his family is here as well,” the Red Bull driver said.
“I’m sure this is a very emotional day for him and I’m very proud of him.”
The result also moved Verstappen into second place in the Drivers’ Championship, with 261 points, two ahead of Hamilton.
Verstappen admits he was sweating as Hamilton chased him
Verstappen also reflected on a chaotic race in which he recovered from fifth on the grid to take victory.
“It was very hectic out there today,” he admitted.
“The first start already made the race for me. I just had a very good first lap, let’s say like that.”
The Dutchman explained that Red Bull’s strategy differed from those of its main rivals and that the RB22 was not necessarily the fastest car throughout the race.
“I do think we lacked a little bit of pace, but we just hung in there and made the right calls at the right time,” he said.
Verstappen also acknowledged that Charles Leclerc’s five-second penalty played a decisive role in putting him ahead.
“Of course, the penalty for Charles then put us in the lead, then you could see they were always staying with me,” he explained.
The Ferrari driver had been penalised for leaving the circuit and gaining an advantage during his opening-lap battle with teammate Hamilton.
Verstappen subsequently faced sustained pressure from Hamilton, who finished just 0.799s behind after 71 laps.
“It was tough. I was sweating at the end to try and keep Lewis behind,” Verstappen admitted.
The victory strengthened the Dutchman’s position in the battle for second in the championship, although Antonelli has already secured the Drivers’ title with 380 points.
GRANDE PRÊMIO is following every session of the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, with breaking news, full coverage and real-time updates in its Formula 1 section.
