Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli Within Reach of Becoming Youngest F1 Champion as Series Resumes at COTA
- On Sunday, October 25, 2026, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can clinch his maiden Formula 1 Drivers' Championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, marking his first opportunity to secure the title.
- The 20-year-old Italian has dominated the 2026 season with nine victories across 17 rounds, defying pre-season expectations that initially favored Mercedes teammate George Russell.
- To clinch the title in Austin, Antonelli must win the race while teammate Russell finishes ninth or lower and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.
- Victory would make Antonelli the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record at age 23, and Italy's first titleholder since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
- Should these results not occur in Austin, the championship battle continues to the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1, pending potential calendar adjustments due to Middle East conflict.
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183 Articles
Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli within reach of becoming youngest F1 champion as series resumes at COTA
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Kimi Antonelli strolled easily through the paddock at the Circuit of the Americas, his boyish grin, tousled hair and easy demeanor never giving a hint of what is at stake the for 20-year-old Italian. The Mercedes driver will start the United States Grand Prix on Sunday with his fingertips tantalizingly within...
In Austin, the title decision in Formula 1 might already fall in favour of Kimi Antonelli. However, the young Silver Arrow does not believe in it. Lewis Hamilton, however, had a curious advice for the World Cup leader.
By Edgar Aviles, CNN in Spanish First match point for Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Formula 1 returns this weekend with the activities of the Austin Grand Prix, after a two-week break after the Singapore race. Max Verstappen was crowned in the Asian country, while Charles Leclerc was his escort.
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