The Mexican Grand Prix has been a stage where superlatives have not been lacking, highlighting the unstoppable rise of Kimi Antonelli, who has achieved his first world crown in a competition that has marked a before and after in his career. With an impeccable performance, Antonelli has received the recognition that his dominant season deserved.
Winner: Kimi Antonelli
Though Antonelli’s triumph seemed a matter of time, the event holds special significance. Let us remember the previous year, when expectations were high, but the difficulties of his debut left doubts about his future. In contrast, this season has demonstrated a spectacular evolution, with five consecutive victories that have cemented his dominance, including a memorable recovery from ninth place in the Italian Grand Prix.
His coronation in Mexico, in a vehicle that has lost some of its superiority, reflects Antonelli’s growth. Despite tensions with his rivals, he managed to keep calm and navigate through a complicated race, standing out with a decisive maneuver against Charles Leclerc to secure third place and thus celebrate his title in a thrilling setting.
Winner: Mercedes
Antonelli’s triumph is the result of a collective effort encompassing the entire Mercedes team, from engineers to mechanics. After difficulties in the era of ground effects, the regulatory change has allowed the team to return to top positions on the grid.
It is notable the important role of Gwen Lagrue, who discovered Antonelli on the karting tracks, as well as the support from Toto Wolff, who chose to promote the young driver to the F1 team. The journey has been challenging, marked by an intense training process, but the results achieved this year demonstrate that efforts have paid off.
Losers: Ferrari
On the other end, Ferrari is facing an internal crisis. Lewis Hamilton has expressed his frustration with his situation after an incident with Leclerc that was not managed properly by the team, evidencing that internal cohesion will urgently need improvement.
After securing his first pole at Ferrari and a good starting position, Hamilton was unable to capitalize on it due to a lack of power from the engine, resulting in yet another edition of what has been a season filled with frustrations for the Maranello team.
Winner: Max Verstappen
The result of the Grand Prix has also been a memorable moment for Max Verstappen, who has achieved a key victory. With his ability to turn adverse situations around, Verstappen seized the opportunities presented to him during the race, thus adding his third victory in four races.
Despite Antonelli’s team seeming unreachable, Verstappen has shown that if his unit is in condition, he is an impossible driver to dethrone. Fans eagerly await the next season, with tighter competitions among the top teams.
Losers: Valtteri Bottas and Cadillac
In contrast to the victories, Valtteri Bottas and Cadillac have faced a disastrous day. The arrival of Marcin Budkowski as team director has highlighted the lack of reliability and consistency as major concerns for the team. Bottas ended up retiring from the competition due to a mechanical failure, reiterating that Cadillac must raise its standards to be competitive in F1.
As the team prepares for 2027, Bottas could be on shaky ground, with his seat threatened if the situation of the vehicles is not clarified.
Losers: Honda
At the same time, Honda and Aston Martin have once again been at the center of criticism. Fernando Alonso, disappointed for not being able to complete the race, made clear his displeasure with the lack of performance in the power unit. Last season, expectations were high, but once again they are affected by a lack of reliability, putting the team in a tight spot.
With so many variations and emotions in the Mexican Grand Prix, it is clear that each team needs to reflect and improve for the future. The competition is fierce and the highest level is becoming increasingly demanding.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
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