After finishing third behind race winner Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton at the Mexico City Grand Prix, 20-year-old Mercedes prodigy <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/kimi-antonelli-eyes-stylish-high-in-mexico-23657145" rel="nofollow">Kimi Antonelli</a> gripped the steering wheel, his voice trembling as he proclaimed, "We did it, we did it."&nbsp;
With this podium finish in the Mexican capital on Sunday, the Italian driver etched his name into the history books as the youngest World Champion in Formula 1 history, shattering Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record of winning the title at age 23.
"I'm still trying to realise and understand what just happened; when you work so hard, and then you finally achieve it, it is truly special," said Antonelli. "All the emotions come; to be able to witness this moment with my family is a moment I will always remember."
Securing the win with four races remaining, Antonelli admitted the emotion of the closing lap almost overwhelmed him before crossing the 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 special; a lot of memories went through my mind at that moment, and I let it all out after achieving one of my biggest dreams."
By building an unassailable lead over teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Hamilton, Antonelli became Italy&rsquo;s first F1 champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
<h2>Verstappen wins race amid Ferrari teammate tension</h2>
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/max-verstappen-slams-liam-lawson-for-crash-as-charles-leclerc-tops-practice-23657924" rel="nofollow">Max Verstappen</a> dominated the track to secure his sixth Mexico City Grand Prix victory, joking afterwards about his record in Mexico,
"The 'Max-ico' Grand Prix will be a great name to call it... 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."
Meanwhile, drama unfolded at Ferrari after <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/it-feels-special-hamilton-after-winning-first-pole-for-ferrari-at-mexico-city-gp-23658042" rel="nofollow">pole-sitter Hamilton</a> ran off-track while battling Leclerc early on, dropping to third. Leclerc received a five-second penalty for the incident, which infuriated Hamilton.
"The stewards are basically handing Charles this win. We agreed in the drivers' briefing. 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." Hamilton said.
(With inputs from agencies)

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli made history by becoming the youngest Formula 1 World Champion after finishing third in the Mexico City Grand Prix


Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion at Mexico City Grand Prix

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Kimi Antonelli becomes youngest F1 champion at Mexico City Grand Prix

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