Mercedes youngster Kimi Antonelli became the youngest F1 world champion when he joined the elite list after finishing third in the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday.

In the process, at the age of 20 years and 68 days, Antonelli broke Sebastian Vettel’s record from 2011.

With Antonelli - who only debuted on the grid last year - having already secured the title, the race for second sport remains fierce with world champions and seasoned drivers all in the hunt.

There are currently four drivers who can snatch second: Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, George Russell and Charles Leclerc.

Between them they have 11 world titles, with Hamilton owning a record-equalling seven, and Verstappen four.

The other two, Leclerc and Russell have 17 race wins between them.

Heading into the Brazilian Grand Prix in Sao Paulo, only 16 points separate the four drivers.

Red Bull’s Verstappen currently holds second on 261 points, having won three of the last four races, including last week’s Mexican Grand Prix. He is followed by Hamilton - who claimed his first win for Ferrari in Barcelona earlier this year - with 259 points.

Antonelli’s Mercedes team-mate Russell has 250 points after wins in Australia and Austria, and fifth place belongs to Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc with 245 points.

The close nature of the battle could see the fight lasting the next four races up to the finale in Abu Dhabi in December.

There is another interesting battle taking place in terms of the constructors championship as Red Bull and McLaren are locked in an intense race for third.

Mercedes have a solid lead at the top with 630 points and are followed by Ferrari who have 504. Red Bull occupy third on 382 points while McLaren in fourth have 365.

For Verstappen, the priority is his team. “The only thing that we want to try and achieve is to be P3 in the Constructors’,” he said.

“That’s what I think the team wants, so that’s what we’ll try to do.”

It means that across Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi there is still plenty to go racing for.