Match point in Austin: how Antonelli can clinch the title in the US
Kimi Antonelli leads the championship by 102 points from George Russell. At the US Grand Prix on October 25, the 20-year-old could become the youngest world champion in history.
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After the Singapore Grand Prix, Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli leads the drivers' standings on 340 points, ahead of team-mate George Russell (238), Lewis Hamilton (229), Max Verstappen (221) and Charles Leclerc (215). According to Formula 1, a maximum of 150 points remain available over the final six races.
Antonelli can seal the title at the very next round in Austin on October 25: according to F1 and dpa, he must win, while Russell must finish ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower. He would then hold more than the required 125-point lead after Austin. If drivers finish level on points, the number of wins decides – Antonelli has eight so far.
At 20, the Italian would become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. The record is held by Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title with Red Bull in 2010 at the age of 23. According to dpa, the maths would change if the races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were cancelled because of the Iran war and replaced by a finale at Imola – a 100-point lead after Austin would then be enough.