Kimi Antonelli Is Set to End Italy's 73-Year Wait for an F1 Champ
The Mercedes driver can clinch his maiden championship with a ninth-place finish or better as he seeks a 10th win of the season.
- On Sunday in Mexico City, Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli can clinch the Formula One world championship with just two points. The 20-year-old holds a 123-point lead over teammate George Russell, needing only a ninth-place finish to become Italy's first champion in 73 years.
- The long wait stems from 1967, 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 this year. Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised his mindset, noting Antonelli said, "I'm not thinking at all about the championship."
- Antonelli's father, Marco, initially opposed his racing career due to the sport's cruelty and lack of financial support. The driver credited Mercedes, 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. Next year he intends to explore GT3 racing, aiming to fulfill a personal dream while continuing his focus on future success in Formula One.
91 Articles
91 Articles
Kimi Antonelli is set to end Italy's 73-year wait for an F1 champ
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. For a country full of passionate racing fans , the 73-year wait
The Toronto Star
My Mother LodeKimi 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…
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