Kimi Antonelli looks to seal title ‘in style’ after US Grand Prix win

AUSTIN, Texas – Kimi Antonelli said his mindset will not change as he heads to this weekend’s race in Mexico seeking the two points he needs to become Formula 1’s youngest world champion.

The 20-year-old Italian delivered a well-executed and dominant drive to claim his ninth win in 2026 for Mercedes in the Oct 25 United States Grand Prix, and move within reach of the title.

Antonelli is on the brink of smashing the previous record for youngest champion, held by Sebastian Vettel who was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010 with Red Bull.

He is also set to become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

“The best way, the perfect way, would be to finish off in style and then just enjoy the rest of the season,” he said.

“I’m very aware that it’s very close, but the mindset doesn’t change.

“I want to finish the season on a high in order to then go with high hopes into 2027. But we’ll first focus and worry about finishing this well, and then we’ll see.”

After his triumph at the Circuit of the Americas, he leads with 365 points ahead of nearest rival and teammate George Russell on 242 and seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari on 241.

He will be champion if he finishes in the top nine or, if he does not score, Russell or Hamilton fail to win.

But on current form, after winning again for the first time in four races, he looks certain to take the title in his own happy, generous and infectious style.

“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.

“But I’m really happy that we made it stick. 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.”

Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff hailed Antonelli’s performance in Austin as his “best race”.

“On Kimi’s side, the main headline is that for me (that’s) the best race that he’s delivered so far,” Wolff said.

“Getting off the start with the inferior tyre and then controlling (the race) at all times. The race of a champion who isn’t the champion yet, but exceptional.

“I think he’s outperformed the car. His driving style just glues with the car.”

Antonelli’s ability on the track and infectious attitude off it have landed him numerous fans around the paddock, including Damon Hill, the 1996 champion.

“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 on the BBC.

“But he delivers. He’s such a nice kid. It’s incredible. Twenty years old and he’s on the verge of winning his first championship, which I’m sure will be the first of many.”

‘Rubbish’

Russell needed to finish in the top eight to remain notionally in the title race, and he did indeed finish eighth after taking an early five-second penalty.

“My pace just was rubbish today. That’s the long and short of it,” he said.

“Of course, the five seconds didn’t help things and probably cost me two or three positions, but nevertheless, the pace was not good enough when it needed to be.”

Hamilton is the only other driver who still has a mathematical chance of catching Antonelli, but the seven-time champion was left to rue missed opportunities in the Oct 25 race.

“I felt the race was lost in my first two stints,” said Hamilton. “I lost so much time. I couldn’t turn the car in the lower speed corners, particularly.

“I was adjusting my settings, and by the last stint I was closer to the right balance.

“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.” AFP, REUTERS