Antonelli becomes youngest champion in F1 history as Verstappen wins Mexico City GP

Welcome to our coverage for the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix from the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez. Today could be the day for Kimi Antonelli, the day he becomes a Formula One world champion. In fact it is very likely. All he needs to confirm the drivers’ championship is to finish ninth or higher. If George Russell or Lewis Hamilton do not claim victory then he is champion whatever happens. Given his season so far, it is difficult to see the title fight going to Brazil next week. What chance of a decent race here today? The first few laps are often entertaining as the pack bunches up and there are plenty of chances to overtake early on. Generally the top four teams have been close together (last week in Austin excluded) and it is possible to overtake here, though it is not exactly easy. Qualifying yesterday as an intriguing and close session. Hamilton secured his first grand prix pole for Ferrari, by just 0.009sec from the Mercedes of George Russell, with Charles Leclerc of Ferrari a little behind him in third. Then came Max Verstappen, Antonelli, Norris, Hadjar and Lindblad. Liam Lawson was disqualified on a technicality. Ferrari have been an up-and-down team this season but have been strong without really delivering on it fully in the last few rounds. Could they secure a third victory of the season today? They do not really need to worry about losing second in the constructors to Red Bull or McLaren and Mercedes are too far out of reach in any case. In any case, the biggest story is likely to be Antonelli’s coronation in Mexico. Hamilton has won titles here before for Mercedes, will the Italian give the Silver Arrows another fiesta in Mexico City? The race starts at 8pm GMT and we will be here for all the build-up, live updates and reaction from it.