Verstappen, Hamilton hoist Antonelli after world title triumph in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli’s title celebration delivered one of the defining images of the 2026 season. After clinching the World Championship in Mexico, F1’s newest champion was hoisted onto the shoulders of Max Verstappen and Lewis Hamilton.

Why it matters:

The moment framed a rare passing of the torch. Verstappen and Hamilton have been the sport’s benchmark and each other’s fiercest rival; lifting Antonelli together underlined his arrival as F1’s next headline act.

The details:

• Antonelli secured the title in Mexico, turning post-race celebrations into a grid-wide tribute.
• Verstappen and Hamilton, both former world champions, shared the moment with the sport’s newest title winner.
• The image spread quickly through broadcast coverage, with “What a picture!” capturing the mood.
• For Antonelli, it marked a rapid rise from prospect to champion in a season that has reshaped the front of the grid.

What’s next:

The focus now shifts to how Antonelli carries the crown into the final races and 2027. With two modern greats publicly celebrating his achievement, the pressure will grow — but so will his status as one of F1’s central figures.