Kimi Antonelli will be recognized this week at the Mexico City Grand Prix as the youngest champion in Formula One history if he can achieve ninth place or better in this race. This event could end Italy's 73-year wait for a new champion in this sport, as the last Italian champion was Alberto Ascari, who won the title in 1953.
Competition for the Championship
Antonelli, who is currently at the top of the standings at 20 years and 68 days old, has increased his lead over his competitors by winning the United States Grand Prix last Sunday. His two main rivals, George Russell from Mercedes and Lewis Hamilton from Ferrari, are 123 and 124 points behind Antonelli, respectively. To stop him, they both need to win the remaining races, and Antonelli must finish tenth or lower.
Antonelli's Outstanding Performance
Antonelli has achieved 9 victories out of 18 races this season and has been on the podium 9 times in his last 11 races. He said, "I approach it in my usual way. I try to enjoy this experience as much as possible, but I am also striving for another victory. The best thing is to finish with a positive result, and that is my goal."
Toto Wolff, the team principal of Mercedes who brought Antonelli to the team last season, expects a big celebration this weekend. He said, "It will be a tequila party, or if not, a caipirinha party next weekend." Mercedes could also secure the Constructors' Championship at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez.
Ferrari also had the opportunity to recruit Antonelli in the past but did not accept him due to his young age. Luca di Montezemolo, the former chairman of Ferrari, said in an interview, "I am a Ferrari fan and I am happy to see Antonelli doing great things. But what saddens me is that Ferrari had the chance to recruit him and did not do it."
While for Antonelli, achieving a good position in this race is more important than winning, Max Verstappen, a four-time champion, is in a good position for Red Bull with 5 wins in Mexico. Lando Norris, the current champion who started from the back last year, and Charles Leclerc from Ferrari will also compete in this race. Additionally, Sergio Perez, at 36 years old, is set to participate in his 300th race for Cadillac and has recently extended his contract until 2029.
