Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest…
After crossing the end line of the Mexico City Grand Prix behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton, F1 history-maker Kimi Antonelli positioned his arms on the steering wheel and his voice cracked as he said, “We did it, we did it.”
Although the 20-year-old Mercedes driver completed third in the Mexican capital on Sunday, he turned the youngest champion in the historical past of Formula 1.
“I’m still trying to realize and understand what just happened, when you work so hard and then you finally achieve it is truly special,” said Antonelli, who was joined by his mother and father and youthful sister. “All the emotions come, to be able to witness this moment with my family is a moment I will always remember.”
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli completed third in Mexico to turn out to be the youngest Formula 1 champion in the game’s historical past. AP Photo/Fernando Llano
Antonelli, who secured the title with 4 races remaining, said the ultimate lap was difficult by the thrill of what he had achieved — he started to savor it even before crossing the end line.
“I think I lost two seconds because I could not see ahead, I think I saw two Ferraris,” he said with a smile. “It was very particular, a lot of reminiscences went through my thoughts at that second, and I let it all out after attaining one of my largest desires.
Antonelli, the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Hamilton.
Sebastian Vettel was the earlier youngest champion at age 23 in 2010.
Although the Italian driver knew, after successful the United States Grand Prix, that the title was firmly within his grasp, his first few days in Mexico weren’t straightforward; he fell sick, even though he claimed on Sunday to be in his best bodily form.
But the best problem was the mental battle that got here with having the achievement so close within attain.
Mercedes’ Andrea Kimi Antonelli crosses the chequered flag to end third and win the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday. REUTERS
“The weekend has not been easy; I kept hearing the same thing over and over again. It is not easy to hear congratulations on a win when the job is not yet done. But hearing it repeatedly made me realize that I could actually achieve it.”
Verstappen, meanwhile, claimed his sixth victory at the Mexico City Grand Prix, additional cementing his affinity with the circuit.
“The ‘Max-ico’ Grand Prix will be a great name to call it,” Verstappen said with a snicker. “To be honest I love the city and the fans, but I have no idea why I have won it six years, it just happened. It always comes together for me here.”
Although the 20-year-old Mercedes driver completed third in the Mexican capital on Sunday, he turned the youngest champion in the historical past of Formula 1. Clasos.com.mx / SplashNews.com
A new Italian champion
“For 73 years, our country has waited for this moment, and today an entire nation will celebrate one of its own reaching the very pinnacle of our sport,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.
“Today, his name joins the legends of our sport. A new chapter in Formula 1 history has been written, and I firmly believe this is only the beginning of an extraordinary legacy.”
Race stopped
The race was stopped on lap 46 with a purple flag after Valtteri Bottas crashed into the wall at the first nook, following points with his right-side suspension.
Antonelli, the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953, took an unassailable lead in the standings over teammate George Russell and Ferrari’s Hamilton. REUTERS
Cadillac reported that the driver was given “further medical assessments as a precaution.” Bottas had acquired out of the car unaided and waved to the followers before leaving the observe.
At the restart, Verstappen was first — adopted by Charles Leclerc, Hamilton, Antonelli, Lando Norris and Russell — and the Red Bull driver didn’t let the win slip away.
After Mexico, F1 will head to Brazil and then to Las Vegas. It stays unsure whether or not the ultimate two scheduled Grands Prix — in Qatar and Abu Dhabi — will happen, given instability in the area.
Ferrari’s sad teammates
Hamilton, who had secured pole place on Saturday, misplaced it on the fourth lap while battling for the lead with Leclerc. Hamilton briefly went off observe, dropping back to third place.
Antonelli and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates with his group in parc ferme, on Sunday in Mexico City. Getty Images
The maneuver between the 2 Ferrari drivers was investigated, ensuing in a five-second penalty for Leclerc — a resolution that left seven-time world champion Hamilton fuming.
“The stewards are basically handing Charles this win. We agreed in the drivers’ briefing,” Hamilton said. “The problem with a 5-second penalty is that he’s got clean air and doesn’t have to manage (the car) like the rest of us. He should have just given the position back.”
Shortly before the purple flag brought on by Bottas’ crash, Hamilton radioed, “We’ve got problems … big, big problems.” On pulling into the storage, he appeared visibly pissed off with his group.
Leclerc said after the race that he needed to give the place back to Hamilton, but Verstappen acquired between them.
“At that point it did not matter because Max passed us and the race was done,” Hamilton said. “I am happy, but we lost valuable points we could have easily been 1-2 today, but your teammate works against you, we just have to figure it out and something needs to change for sure.”
Stay up to date with the latest trending topics! Visit our web site daily for the freshest Sports news and content, rigorously curated to keep you informed.
