George Russell told to get 'nasty' as Liam Lawson sabotage claimed denied — International Media reacts

Kimi Antonelli became the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at the Mexico City Grand Prix, as Max Verstappen claimed a dramatic victory at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.

The Mercedes driver finished third to secure his maiden title at just 20 years and 68 days old, breaking Sebastian Vettel's long-standing record and becoming the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Verstappen held off Lewis Hamilton by just 0.799 seconds to secure his third victory of the season, with Antonelli completing the podium.

There was plenty of controversy throughout the race, particularly at Ferrari, where Hamilton and Charles Leclerc clashed on the opening lap.

Leclerc was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage, while George Russell also received a penalty following contact with Isack Hadjar.

A heavy crash for Valtteri Bottas subsequently brought out the red flags, adding another twist to an eventful afternoon in Mexico.

With Antonelli now officially crowned world champion, attention has turned to the extraordinary investment Mercedes made in the Italian's development, the growing tensions at Ferrari and the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Liam Lawson's future.

Here's how the international media reacted to the Mexico City Grand Prix, the 19th round of the 2026 F1 season.

🇬🇧 The Telegraph – Antonelli's victory will break Russell unless he gets nasty

The Telegraph examines the potentially damaging consequences of Antonelli's championship triumph for Mercedes team-mate George Russell, who has been comprehensively overshadowed by the young Italian throughout 2026.

Having entered the season as the more experienced driver and a potential title favourite, Russell now faces the prospect of playing second fiddle to Formula 1's youngest world champion.

The newspaper suggests that Russell may need to adopt a more ruthless approach if he is to reassert himself within Mercedes, particularly as Antonelli's success threatens to establish a new hierarchy at the team.

With the Italian already achieving what Russell has spent years pursuing, the psychological challenge facing the Briton could prove just as significant as the battle on track.

🇳🇱 De Telegraaf – Lewis Hamilton furious with Charles Leclerc and delivers harsh Ferrari criticism: 'It's clear something has to change'

De Telegraaf focuses on Hamilton's frustration with Ferrari following a controversial opening-lap battle with team-mate Leclerc in Mexico City.

The seven-time world champion was unhappy after Leclerc cut across the grass while attempting to overtake him, with the incident allowing Verstappen to capitalise and ultimately costing Ferrari a potential victory.

Although Leclerc received a five-second penalty, Hamilton remained critical of the team's handling of the situation and suggested changes were necessary to prevent similar incidents.

The Dutch publication highlights the growing tension within Ferrari, with Hamilton's second-place finish doing little to disguise his disappointment at another missed opportunity for the Scuderia.

🇮🇹 Gazzetta dello Sport – How much has Antonelli cost Mercedes? The figures behind Wolff's project

Gazzetta dello Sport examines the extraordinary investment Mercedes made in Antonelli's development, revealing that the team spent more than €10 million nurturing the Italian's talent over nine years.

Toto Wolff explained that Mercedes identified Antonelli when he was just 11 years old and continued supporting him despite a difficult rookie campaign in 2025, when some rival teams questioned whether he deserved a place in Formula 1.

The Austrian recalled how Antonelli was reduced to tears following a particularly challenging race at Spa, but insisted the team's faith in him never wavered.

Gazzetta consequently presents his historic championship triumph as the culmination of a long-term project built on financial commitment, patience and an unwavering belief in his potential.

🇫🇷 L'Équipe – Ferrari struggling to accept Mexico GP result: 'It's difficult to throw away a victory like that'

L'Équipe highlights Ferrari's bitter disappointment after a race in which the Italian team appeared capable of securing victory but ultimately had to settle for second and fourth.

Hamilton started from pole position, but his opening-lap battle with Leclerc compromised both drivers and allowed Verstappen to move into contention for the lead.

The French publication focuses on Ferrari's frustration at squandering a golden opportunity, with the team's internal rivalry and subsequent strategic decisions contributing to its failure to convert strong qualifying pace into victory.

Although Hamilton pushed Verstappen to within eight-tenths of a second at the finish, the result left Ferrari reflecting on what might have been rather than celebrating a potentially significant win.

🇩🇪 Bild – The title-winning night in Formula 1: King Kimi was in tears on the final lap

Bild provides a behind-the-scenes account of Kimi Antonelli's emotional championship celebrations after the Mercedes driver became Formula 1's youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix.

The Italian revealed that he had been forced to slow down on the final lap as tears filled his eyes, before receiving congratulations from Lewis Hamilton and race winner Max Verstappen, who later lifted him onto their shoulders during the podium ceremony.

Antonelli subsequently celebrated with his family and Mercedes personnel, paying tribute to the team and those closest to him for helping him achieve his childhood dream.

Bild also highlights Toto Wolff's pride in his young protégé, with the Mercedes team principal insisting Antonelli had demonstrated that a driver did not need to be selfish to become world champion.

🇳🇿 NZ Herald – No, there is not a Racing Bulls conspiracy to sabotage Liam Lawson

The NZ Herald challenges suggestions that Racing Bulls is deliberately undermining Lawson, arguing that the difficulties experienced by the New Zealander should not automatically be interpreted as evidence of a conspiracy.

The opinion piece addresses the growing speculation surrounding Lawson's treatment within the Red Bull organisation, particularly as uncertainty continues over his long-term future with the team.

Rather than attributing disappointing results or questionable decisions to deliberate interference, the publication urges a more measured assessment of the challenges facing both driver and team.

Lawson's points finish in Mexico provides another reminder of his capabilities, but the article suggests that conspiracy theories risk distracting from a more complicated sporting situation.