Winners and losers from F1's record-breaking Mexico Grand Prix
Key Points:
- Kimi Antonelli secured the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at the Mexico Grand Prix, showcasing a dominant season with five consecutive wins and a mature, strategic race to clinch his maiden title despite his car no longer being the fastest on the grid.
- Mercedes celebrated a significant victory, with Antonelli’s success reflecting the efforts of the entire team, including talent scout Gwen Lagrue and team principal Toto Wolff, who promoted Antonelli early in his career despite initial challenges.
- Ferrari faced internal turmoil as tensions between drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc escalated, highlighted by on-track incidents and Hamilton's call for "serious talks" following a controversial penalty and team dynamics issues.
- Max Verstappen delivered a strong performance in Mexico, capitalizing on Ferrari’s struggles to claim victory and demonstrating his resilience and skill, setting the stage for a highly competitive 2027 season among the top teams.
- Cadillac and Honda struggled with reliability issues, with Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas crashing out due to suspension failure and Honda’s Aston Martin suffering power unit problems that severely limited race laps, underscoring ongoing challenges for both teams.