Antonelli claimed his first world championship at Mexico as Ferrari gift-wrapped Verstappen a win through spectacular self-sabotage. Leclerc cut Turn 1 to pass Hamilton on lap one, triggering penalties and recriminations that opened the door for Verstappen. Hamilton's post-race verdict was withering: Leclerc's mentality is "either I win or none of us do." Team principal Vasseur grew more exasperated with each interview.
The new champion earned rapturous applause across the paddock. Verstappen called himself "proud," Hamilton said he was "grateful to witness it," Norris admitted Antonelli "made everyone look silly." A dominant season without controversy—the grid now faces the harder question of how to stop him in year two.
Meanwhile the 2026 regs revealed an awkward flaw: a hard speed limiter that Norris says "ruins racing" by capping straight-line attacks. Expect teams to push for changes before 2027.
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