At 20, Kimi Antonelli stands poised to become F1’s youngest champion when the United States Grand Prix rolls around on October 25.
A third‑place in Singapore pushed Antonelli’s championship lead to a season‑best 102 points.
Meanwhile, George Russell slipped to ninth after engine penalties forced a back‑of‑grid start, leaving him more than a hundred points behind his teammate. Lewis Hamilton’s late slide off the podium also dropped the Ferrari driver to third, 111 points adrift.
For my money, Antonelli looks set to rewrite the record books, as the six‑race run leaves the title almost a formality, potentially eclipsing Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest champion.
How Antonelli could seal the title at the United States GP
After the US round, five events remain—Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi—with a maximum of 125 points still up for grabs.
To clinch it in Austin, Antonelli must win the race AND hope Russell and Hamilton score too few points to keep the gap within 124.
The scenarios that hand Antonelli the crown in Austin are:
- Antonelli wins (25 points)
- Russell ninth or lower (≤2 points)
- Hamilton fifth or lower (≤10 points)
If Antonelli wins and Russell finishes ninth, the Italian would lead by 125 points with exactly that many left, which still secures the title as long as Hamilton stays outside the top four.
That win would be Antonelli’s ninth of the season, while Russell could max out at eight wins in the remaining races, meaning a tie on points would be broken by race victories, handing Antonelli the championship.
What about the other drivers still in contention?
Max Verstappen (119 points back), Charles Leclerc (125 back) and Lando Norris (139 back) remain mathematically alive after Singapore, but an Antonelli victory in Austin would eliminate them regardless of where they finish.
“If I don’t do my job, the result won’t come” – Antonelli vows focus
Antonelli now teeters on a historic milestone, yet after Singapore he warned that distraction could cost him in Austin.
“I know it’s close, I know it’s there, but I just have to keep delivering my best,” he said.
“The mindset stays the same – go out, win, perform at my peak. I didn’t feel I drove my best in Singapore; I could’ve done better. Still, I’m confident a week to reset and I’m eager to be back in Austin,” he added.
“If I don’t do my job, the result won’t come. So I simply have to perform,” he affirmed.