Andrea Kimi Antonelli has a golden opportunity to secure his maiden Formula 1 world title at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix. The 20-year-old Mercedes driver, fresh from his ninth win of the season at the United States Grand Prix, holds a commanding 123-point lead over teammate George Russell with only 125 points remaining in the championship.
What Antonelli Needs for the Title
Antonelli will be crowned champion in Mexico as long as he doesn’t lose more than 23 points to Russell and 24 to Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton during the race weekend.
Two points are enough: this means a ninth-place finish (or better), regardless if Russell wins. If Hamilton claims victory, a tenth-place finish would suffice for Antonelli.
If neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the Mexico race, Antonelli clinches the title no matter where he finishes.
If Antonelli succeeds, he’ll set a new record as the youngest F1 world champion and clinch the 2026 championship with four races to spare.
Who Can Still Win the Title?
Only George Russell and Lewis Hamilton remain mathematically in contention.
Max Verstappen was officially eliminated from the title race after Antonelli’s most recent win.
There is now an intense scrap for second place, with just nine points separating Russell in P2 from Charles Leclerc in fifth.
Antonelli’s coronation next Sunday is all but inevitable barring the most unlikely scenarios, marking a potential historic milestone for the rising Italian superstar.
