Kimi Antonelli can become the youngest Formula 1 world champion on Sunday, but he says he is enjoying the moment more than usual rather than feeling the pressure. He came into the weekend aiming to keep the same one race at a time mindset he has used all year, though he acknowledged that this weekend feels different. "I feel like I can enjoy more driving, everything," he said. "But the goal stays the same. I just need to keep doing my job."
Antonelli has relied on his support network to stay focused. Although his father, Marco, usually attends grands prix with him, he has brought friends to Austin as well. In the evenings they play cards, which he says helps him relax and reconnect before returning to full focus once he is on track.
The mathematics favour him heavily. He is 102 points clear of George Russell and 111 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, so the title is close to inevitable. Max Verstappen said Antonelli does not need advice: "He knows what he's doing. He just needs to try and win the race. If it doesn't happen here, it will happen next weekend." Antonelli would break Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest champion, set when Vettel won his first title in 2010 at 23 years and 133 days old. Antonelli will be 20 years and 61 days old on Sunday.
His season has been remarkable. He has taken eight victories in 17 races, including a run of five in a row, after a difficult debut season in 2025. Pole position was a surprise, as Ferrari and Verstappen had been considered the likeliest to take it. Verstappen felt his grip disappear in the final qualifying session, while Ferrari faded as conditions changed, but Verstappen's long-run pace on Friday suggests the race could be more competitive.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing