What Does Kimi Antonelli Need to Win F1 Title at Mexican City GP 2026?
The Mercedes driver needs only two points on Sunday to seal the title and end Italy’s 73-year wait for a Formula One champion.
- On Sunday in Mexico City, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli can clinch the Formula One world championship. The 20-year-old holds a 123-point lead over George Russell with a maximum 100 available, needing just two points to become Italy's first champion in 73 years.
- The long wait stems from a 1967 turning point when Ferrari founder Enzo Ferrari swore to stop hiring Italian drivers following Lorenzo Bandini's fatal crash. In the 59 years since, only one Italian has driven a full Formula One season for the team.
- Fast-Tracked by Mercedes to replace seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton, Antonelli secured five straight victories from China to Monaco this year. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised his mindset, noting Antonelli said, "I'm not thinking at all about the championship."
- The Italian's father, Marco, initially opposed his racing career due to the sport's cruelty and lack of financial support. Antonelli credited Mercedes for his success, stating, "I'd always be very grateful to Mercedes because they were the ones gambling on me."
- Antonelli views this championship as only the beginning of his career, stating, "It would be very cool to close this off, but of course then this has to be just the beginning." He intends to explore GT3 racing next year while continuing his Formula One focus.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Hastings Tribune
Kimi Antonelli is set to end Italy's 73-year wait for an F1 champion. Here's why it's been so long
Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of becoming Formula 1's youngest-ever champion, and the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Motor racing-Born racer Antonelli has plenty more dreams to fulfil
By Alan Baldwin MEXICO CITY, Oct 27 (Reuters) – Kimi Antonelli says he is just getting started as the 20-year-old Italian prepares to become Formula One’s youngest world champion with a flourish in Mexico City this weekend. The Mercedes driver, in only his second season, has a 123-point lead over teammate and closest rival George Russell with a maximum 100 still available after Mexico. Two points on Sunday — a ninth place — is all he needs to be…
Mexico City Grand Prix 2026: Antonelli Eyes F1 Title
The 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix could crown Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli as Formula 1’s youngest world champion. Needing only two points, a ninth-place finish would secure his first title, while Mercedes also target the Constructors’ Championship. Max Verstappen returns to his most successful circuit, and Sergio Pérez celebrates his 300th Grand Prix start on home soil.
It is very likely that after the Mexico City Grand Prix this weekend, Formula 1 will have its new world champion in the person of Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
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