Antonelli clinched the title - but who shone most in Mexico? Driver ratings
BBC Radio 5 Live F1 commentator Harry Benjamin rates how the drivers performed during the Mexico City Grand Prix.
Max Verstappen secured his sixth victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, while Kimi Antonelli achieved a historic milestone by becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion. Verstappen edged out Lewis Hamilton after a late safety car restart, while Antonelli's title win came with four races still remaining. Here's a breakdown of how the drivers performed throughout the weekend in Mexico City.
Antonelli's performance was truly remarkable, as he made Formula 1 history. Despite starting fifth due to a grid penalty, he capitalized on Ferrari's internal strife and held off Hamilton through two restarts. His strong start, combined with a decisive move on Charles Leclerc and a fastest lap, solidified his position, making him the youngest world champion in the sport's history.
Verstappen's win was a dominant performance, but his race was not without its challenges. He encountered issues at Turn Four on lap one, causing him and Hamilton to fall back. However, he managed to recover and push his way back up the order. Antonelli's impressive performance cannot be understated. He demonstrated exceptional speed from the beginning, topping both Friday practice and qualifying.
However, race day presented challenges. His off-track pass resulted in a penalty, and a significant lock-up after the red flag dropped him off the podium. While his race pace was excellent, he lost positions on the opening lap, costing him a chance at victory. Verstappen's win was a testament to his skill and determination, but it also highlighted the challenges Antonelli faced in a highly competitive environment.
The weekend showcased the contrasting performances of the two drivers, with Antonelli's title win standing out as a historic moment in Formula 1.
Written by urgent.news from BBC Sport's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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