Antonelli on the brink of becoming youngest Formula 1 champion in Austin
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli could secure the Formula 1 world title at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. If he does, he will become the youngest champion in the sport's history.
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can win the Formula 1 world championship on Sunday at the Grand Prix in Austin, USA. Formula 1 is the top international single-seater racing series. If he clinches the title, he will break the record for youngest champion by more than three years: he will be 20 years and 61 days old, while the current record holder, Sebastian Vettel, was 23 years and 133 days old when he won his first title in 2010.
Antonelli has won eight of the 17 races so far this season, including five in a row after George Russell won the opening race in Australia. Going into the race, his lead is 102 points over Russell and 111 over Lewis Hamilton. The title is therefore a matter of time, though the maths suggest he is unlikely to take it on Sunday. The driver himself has said it would require something catastrophic to happen to his rivals.
Starting from pole
Antonelli took pole position in Saturday's qualifying, which was a surprise, as a Ferrari driver or Max Verstappen had looked the likelier candidates. Ferrari faded as the sun and temperature dropped, with Charles Leclerc complaining of tyres losing grip. Hamilton said the rivals were simply quicker. Hamilton and Leclerc will start fourth and fifth. Hamilton noted that overtaking at this track is very hard.
Verstappen, a four-time world champion, said he lost grip in the final qualifying session but had been strong in race pace on Friday. He believes Antonelli needs no advice and said that if the title does not come in Austin, it can happen next weekend in Mexico City or the one after in Sao Paulo.
Antonelli admitted the weekend feels different, but said the goal stays the same: try to win. In the evenings he plays cards with friends to relax.
