Kimi Antonelli clinched his maiden Formula 1 Drivers’ Championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix, finishing third behind Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton. The victory came after a dramatic race in which Antonelli’s car suffered a serious mechanical issue that almost forced him to retire.
Engine Trouble Near the Finish
Mercedes Deputy Team Principal Bradley Lord described the problem on the High Performance Racing podcast. After the race, the team recovered the car and found the sump cracked and the underside covered in oil. “Kimi said he felt the engine start to struggle about four laps from the end, so he was right on the edge of retirement of that race and yet it held together,” Lord said.
Bold Overtake Secures Podium Spot
Even with the engine issue, Antonelli managed a daring overtake of Charles Leclerc to claim the final podium spot. Lord praised the move, noting Leclerc’s lock‑up at the restart and his tire condition. “It was the cleanest Turn 1 overtake we saw all day – on the brakes, ran him through the apex, and it was absolutely brilliant,” Lord added.
Season‑Long Progression
Lord highlighted Antonelli’s rapid improvement from his rookie season, when some questioned whether he was cut out for Formula 1. He noted that Antonelli’s qualifying and race pace steadily closed the gap to teammate George Russell throughout the year. After a mid‑season slump caused by suspension changes, Antonelli rebounded from the Baku race onward, working closely with team engineer Peter Bonnington and team principal Toto Wolff to refine his approach.
“The speed at which he has put all those lessons together is amazing,” Lord said. “Not every driver could learn three years’ worth of racing in a single season and perform like he did in Melbourne.”
Looking Ahead to the Constructors’ Title
With the Drivers’ title secured, Mercedes now turns its focus to the Constructors’ Championship, which can be clinched with a double‑podium finish at the upcoming São Paulo Grand Prix. The team’s strong showing in Mexico City positions them well for that final push.
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Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
