Kimi Antonelli poised to become F1's youngest champion

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 1 Nov, 00:51 · Archive

The 20-year-old Italian Mercedes driver is on the brink of becoming Formula One's youngest-ever world champion at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli, 20, is on the verge of becoming Formula One's youngest-ever world champion at the Mexican Grand Prix. The Italian Mercedes driver needs only to finish ninth or better to clinch the maiden title that will make him the youngest champion in history.

Antonelli had an F1 licence before he could legally drive on the road. In his second season with Mercedes, he has shone on track, outpacing more experienced teammates and extracting pace from the complex energy-managed cars. The Guardian notes his exuberant embrace of the sport and describes a sharper driving style than his years might suggest.

At the Mexico City Grand Prix, Antonelli qualified fourth on the grid on Saturday. This was a lower-key result than his season as a whole might suggest, though it still puts him in a strong position to seal the deal on Sunday. Lewis Hamilton, the driver whose Mercedes seat Antonelli took, secured his first pole position for Ferrari and his first pole in more than three years, edging out George Russell by 0.009 seconds.

Mathematically, only Hamilton or Russell can prevent Antonelli from becoming champion if they win the race. Even if either does, Antonelli would be crowned if he finishes ninth (against Russell) or tenth (against Hamilton). Hamilton said the team was simply focused on scoring the best result and that Antonelli was 'on his own journey'.

How it is being reported

• Inside the rise of Kimi Antonelli: How a shock conversation with Mercedes boss Toto Wolff, a close relationship with Bono and hand washing cars at home propelled Italian to cusp of F1 historyJONATHAN McEVOY IN MEXICO CITY: It began in the Midlands and has taken Andrea Kimi Antonelli to the madness of Mexico City on the brink of becoming the youngest world champion in history.Daily Mail Sport · 1 Nov, 02:00
• On 'tense' Antonelli's big weekend, this was Hamilton's dayAs Kimi Antonelli bids to become F1's youngest world champion, veteran Lewis Hamilton rolled back the years to take his first Ferrari pole.BBC News · 1 Nov, 00:35
• Fiesta awaits in Mexico City as Kimi Antonelli speeds towards F1 historyItalian 20-year-old is on the verge of becoming the youngest world champion with the Mexican Grand Prix ready for a carnival coronation atmosphere An undeniable highlight of this Formula One season, marked by discontent at the new regulations, has been getting swept along by the sheer joy that the world champion-in-waiting, Kimi Antonelli, has displayed on his way to a title he will almost surely secure this weekend at the Mexican Grand Prix. Antonelli was still a teenager for the first half of the year and it seemed fitting to describe him as such. His exuberant embrace of competing for…The Guardian · 30 Oct, 20:00
• How 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli is making F1 historyKimi Antonelli had an F1 licence before he could legally drive. Now he could become Formula One’s youngest champion.Al Jazeera · 30 Oct, 19:39

In this story: Kimi Antonelli · Mercedes · Mexico City · Lewis Hamilton · George Russell · Ferrari · Alberto Ascari

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