Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of making Formula One history, with the Mercedes driver needing just two more points at next week’s Mexican Grand Prix to become the youngest world champion in the sport’s history. At just 20 years old, the Italian has enjoyed a remarkable season, and his latest victory at the United States Grand Prix has brought him within touching distance of one of motorsport’s biggest achievements.
Antonelli delivered a commanding performance at the Circuit of the Americas on Sunday, securing his ninth victory of the year and strengthening his position at the top of the championship standings. His latest success has put him in an almost unassailable position, leaving his rivals with very little room to challenge his growing advantage.
If he secures the championship, Antonelli will break the record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 133 days old when he claimed his first world title in 2010. His achievement would also end Italy’s long wait for a Formula One world champion, with Alberto Ascari remaining the last Italian driver to win the title in 1953.
Despite the enormous opportunity ahead of him, Antonelli insists that his approach will remain unchanged. Rather than allowing the pressure of a potential championship to affect his performance, he wants to finish the season strongly and carry that momentum into the next campaign.
“The best way, the perfect way, would be to finish off in style and then just enjoy the rest of the season,” Antonelli said.
He acknowledged how close he is to achieving his goal but stressed that his focus remains on delivering his best performance rather than getting caught up in the excitement surrounding the title.
“I’m very aware that it’s very close but the mindset doesn’t change,” he added.
Antonelli currently leads the championship with 365 points, comfortably ahead of Mercedes teammate George Russell, who has 242 points. Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, now racing for Ferrari, sits third with 241 points.
The championship calculations are increasingly favourable for the young Italian. He will secure the title if he finishes inside the top nine in Mexico. Even if he fails to score, he can still become champion if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.
Given his current form and substantial points advantage, Antonelli heads into the next round as the clear favourite to complete his championship-winning campaign.
Reflecting on his performance in the United States, he credited Mercedes for making the right strategic decisions during a race that demanded careful tyre management and strong execution. The team opted for a one-stop strategy, a decision that played a significant role in delivering another important victory.
“That was the perfect way to end the weekend,” he said.
“It was an incredible team effort, especially from strategy, to believe in me and go for one stop because I wasn’t sure whether one or two stop was the quickest.”
Antonelli added that the victory was particularly meaningful after a challenging period for the team. Returning to the top step of the podium provided a timely confidence boost as Mercedes prepares for the decisive stages of the championship.
“Today was a really important victory for me and for the team, especially after having a couple of difficult races, so being back on top feels very good,” he said.
Beyond his results on the circuit, Antonelli has also earned admiration for his attitude and enthusiasm. His ability to combine impressive performances with a grounded approach has made him a popular figure throughout the Formula One paddock.
Former world champion Damon Hill is among those who have praised the young driver. Speaking on the BBC, Hill highlighted Antonelli’s relationship with Mercedes, his appreciation for the opportunities he has received and his ability to deliver results under pressure.
“The team love him, he’s enjoying everything he’s got in F1 and he’s very grateful for all the breaks they’ve given him at Mercedes,” Hill said.
Hill also expressed confidence that Antonelli’s potential extends far beyond his current championship opportunity, describing it as remarkable that a driver of his age is already on the brink of claiming Formula One’s biggest individual prize.
For Mercedes, Antonelli’s progress represents a significant achievement, with the team’s investment in his talent now potentially leading to a world championship.
Russell and Hamilton struggle to keep the title fight alive
While Antonelli celebrated another major victory, his closest championship rivals faced a difficult afternoon in Texas.
Russell needed to finish inside the top eight to maintain a realistic mathematical chance of challenging for the title. He ultimately secured eighth place after receiving an early five-second penalty, but his performance left him frustrated.
The British driver admitted that his pace had not been competitive enough, acknowledging that the penalty further damaged his chances of achieving a stronger result.
“My pace was just rubbish today. That’s the long and short of it,” Russell said.
Although he believed the penalty cost him several positions, Russell conceded that his overall speed was the bigger problem. With Antonelli continuing to collect victories and extend his advantage, Russell faces an increasingly difficult challenge if he hopes to remain in contention.
Hamilton, meanwhile, remains the only other driver with a mathematical chance of catching Antonelli. However, the Ferrari star also left the United States Grand Prix disappointed after losing valuable time during the opening stages of the race.
Hamilton explained that difficulties with the car’s handling, particularly through slower corners, affected his performance during the first two stints. Adjustments gradually improved the balance, but by then, the damage to his race result had already been done.
“I felt the race was lost in my first two stints,” Hamilton said.
He also acknowledged that lost points over recent races have weakened his championship prospects, pointing to car setup as an area that needs significant improvement.
“I think I’ve lost a lot of points in the last five races or so and I think it’s really come from set-up or just not perfecting the set-up. It’s something I’ve really got to get on top of,” he added.
With both Russell and Hamilton struggling to match Antonelli’s consistency, the championship picture has shifted decisively in the Italian’s favour.
A historic moment is within reach
Antonelli now heads to Mexico with an opportunity that few drivers experience so early in their careers. One more strong result could secure his place in Formula One history, making him the youngest world champion the sport has ever seen.
His potential achievement would represent more than a personal milestone. It would also mark a defining moment for Italian motorsport and underline Mercedes’ success in developing one of the sport’s most promising young talents.
Yet Antonelli appears determined to approach the decisive race with the same composure that has helped him build his championship lead. He knows that the opportunity is close, but his priority remains executing the job properly rather than celebrating before the title is secured.
For Formula One fans, the Mexican Grand Prix could become a landmark event. If Antonelli delivers the points he needs, a new chapter in the sport’s history will begin, and the young Mercedes driver could find himself celebrating a world championship at just 20 years old.
After a season defined by speed, consistency and impressive performances under pressure, Antonelli is now one step away from turning his breakthrough campaign into a historic achievement.
The final challenge awaits in Mexico, where two points could be all that separates a promising young talent from becoming a Formula One world champion.
Source: AFP
