Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of Formula 1 history. The Mercedes driver needs just two points to secure his maiden world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend.
The 20-year-old strengthened his grip on the title with victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, taking his points tally to 365. With this win, he opened a 123-point lead over his Mercedes’ teammate George Russell. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton sits third on 241 points, 124 behind him.
Antonelli could have wrapped up the title in Austin with a win, if Russell would have finished ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. But Russell’s eighth-place finish and Hamilton’s fourth-place result mean the battle continues in Mexico.
F1 drivers’ championship standings
-Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 365 points
-George Russell (Mercedes) - 242 points
-Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 241 points
Four-time world champion Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Lando Norris have all been eliminated from the title race following the US Grand Prix, leaving Russell and Hamilton as Antonelli’s only remaining challengers. With five grands prix left (including Mexico City), Russell can score a maximum of 125 additional points, taking his total to 367. Hamilton’s maximum possible tally is 366. So, Antonelli is all-but certain to take the crown at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.
What does Antonelli need to win the title in Mexico?
Antonelli can secure the championship in Mexico City through a combination of his own result and those of his two rivals:
-If neither Russell nor Hamilton wins, Antonelli is crowned champion regardless of where he finishes.
-If Russell wins, Antonelli must finish ninth or higher.
-If Hamilton wins, Antonelli must finish 10th or higher.
Should he achieve that in Mexico, he will become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at 19, surpassing Sebastian Vettel’s record. The German was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010. Antonelli is also set to become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
