Distraught Russell absent as Antonelli becomes F1 champion

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 2 Nov, 10:34 · Archive

Kimi Antonelli, 20, became Formula One's youngest world champion after finishing third at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with four races remaining.

Kimi Antonelli became Formula One's youngest ever world champion with a third-place finish at Sunday's Mexico City Grand Prix, securing the title with four races still remaining in his second full season. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver beat Sebastian Vettel's previous record as the youngest champion by three years and 66 days. On the team radio after the race, an emotional Antonelli said 'Thank you so much. We did it. We did it.' He later paid tribute to his late grandfather, saying 'I think he would be very proud' while acknowledging he had 'cried way too much' during the day.

George Russell, Antonelli's team-mate at Mercedes, had been expected to challenge for the title but started Sunday's race as the clear favourite between the two drivers, beginning second on the grid. However, Russell suffered a poor getaway caused by a technical engine battery deployment failure and dropped back to sixth on the opening lap. He also received a 10-second penalty for a collision with Red Bull's Isaac Hadjar. He finished sixth.

Russell was excused from carrying out his obligatory post-race media duties. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff explained that Russell was 'distraught' after witnessing his team-mate's triumph. Wolff said 'I saw George after the race on the FIA scales, and obviously he's distraught about the situation.' He added that for Russell, 'this is a catastrophic moment' and that the race proved 'a picture of his season'.

Russell showed sportsmanship by congratulating Antonelli in person, embracing the new champion, but did not remain at the circuit for celebrations or media interviews. He was fined £4,173 for skipping his media obligations. Wolff apologised to Russell for the technical failures, describing the situation as a 's***show' according to the Daily Mail Sport.

The Mexico City race was chaotic, with tensions between Ferrari drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reaching boiling point. Verstappen won the race and Hamilton finished second, but it was Antonelli who took centre stage in the aftermath, making history as the youngest champion and the first Italian to claim the F1 title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

How it is being reported

• Brit driver George Russell walks out on team-mate Kimi Antonelli's F1 title celebrations - and takes a £4,000 fine - after Mercedes 'let him down in s***-show'Antonelli, aged 20 years and 68 days, became the youngest Formula One title-winner in history after finishing third at the Mexican GP, wrapping up the crown with four races to spare.Daily Mail Sport · 2 Nov, 09:18
• Max Verstappen takes shot at George Russell in message to new F1 champion Kimi AntonelliMax Verstappen couldn’t resist taking a dig at George Russell after the race (Picture: Sky Sport) Max Verstappen appeared to aim a swipe at George Russell in the wake of Kimi Antonelli’s F1 world title triumph as he congratulated the Italian on doing an ‘unbelievable job compared to his…Metro · 2 Nov, 08:48
• ‘Distraught George Russell makes quick exit after Kimi Antonelli wins F1 titleRussell was Antonelli's closest rival before Sunday's race, albeit 123 points behind, but slipped to fourth in the drivers' standings.The Japan Times · 2 Nov, 04:08
• Wolff: Russell 'distraught' after watching Antonelli seal titleToto Wolff has revealed that Mercedes excused George Russell from carrying out his post Mexico City Grand Prix media duties because the British driver was "distraught" after seeing his team-mate Kimi Antonelli clinch the Drivers' Championship.Sky Sports · 2 Nov, 03:00

In this story: Kimi Antonelli · George Russell · Mercedes · Max Verstappen · Toto Wolff · Mexico City · Lewis Hamilton · Charles Leclerc

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log