Race winner Verstappen leads tributes to champion Antonelli after Mexico City success

The driver for the Milton Keynes-based Red Bull team had a weekend to remember himself as he ran out the winner of what was a dramatic race.

But it was Antonelli of the Brackley-based Mercedes team that grabbed all the headlines, as he finished third to ensure he becomes the youngest champion in F1 history.

The Italian, at 20 years and 68 days, has beaten the record of Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 134 days old when he won the first of his four drivers' championships in 2010.

Verstappen himself was 24 years and 73 days old when he secured his first title in 2021.

It is a remarkable achievement for Bologna-born Antonelli, who is only competing in his second season at F1, and Verstappen led the tributes.

"It is incredible of course, what a season he has had," said the Dutchman.

"To do that also at such an age I think is just really impressive and it is amazing to see the whole team celebrating with him.

"His family is here as well so I am sure this is a very emotional day for him and I am very proud of him."

As for the race itself, Verstappen took full advantage of an early om-track spat between the Ferrari pair of Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen started the race from fifth on the grid, but a great start propelled him to third on the opening lap.

He then capitalised on an off-track moment for Hamilton and Leclerc to move into second place, with LeClerc later handed a five-second time penalty for leaving the circuit.

Verstappen was later called into the pits at the same time as Leclerc, allowing him to overtake his penalised rival and secure the race lead, which he maintained all the way to the chequered flag.

"It was very hectic out there but the first start, already I think made the race for me," said Verstappen.

"I just had a very good first lap, let's say it like that. And after that, yeah we had a bit of a different strategy.

"I do think we lacked a little bit of pace, but we just hung in there, made the right calls at the right time.

"Of course the penalty of Charles put us into the lead and then you could see that they were always staying with me.

"It was tough, I was sweating at the end to try and keep Lewis behind.

“It was a cool fight until the end – Lewis was flat-out in my gearbox so I couldn’t afford to make a mistake.”

The win, coupled with George Russell's sixth-place finish, sees Verstappen move up to second in the drivers' standings, behind champion Antonelli.

Red Bull's Isack Hadjar claimed a ninth-placed finish.

This weekend sees the Brazilian Grand Prix at Interlagos.