How Kimi Antonelli can secure his first F1 title in Mexico
Kimi Antonelli will have another opportunity to secure his first Formula 1 championship at the upcoming Mexican Grand Prix after just missing out on clinching the title in Austin.
The 20-year-old turned his pole position into his ninth victory of the season at the United States Grand Prix, but Lewis Hamilton's fourth place and George Russell's eighth keep the title battle alive for at least another week.
What must Kimi Antonelli do to win the F1 title in Mexico?
If Antonelli finishes among the top nine in Mexico City next Sunday, he will be crowned champion. The results of Russell and Hamilton won't impact his title win in that case.
Following Mexico, there are four races left if everything goes according to plan in Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar, and Abu Dhabi, with a total of up to 100 points at stake. Antonelli must finish the Mexican Grand Prix at least 100 points ahead of both competitors.
Even if Russell were to win in Mexico and Antonelli came in ninth, he would only narrow the gap to exactly 100 points, and he would then need to triumph in all four remaining races while Antonelli scored nothing. Still, Antonelli would take the title on countback. He already has nine grand prix victories this season, while Russell has three and can only reach a maximum of eight.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes
Can Kimi Antonelli still secure the title if he finishes outside the top nine in Mexico?
Yes. Even if Antonelli does not score at the Mexican Grand Prix, he will still clinch the championship as long as neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.
The only scenario that would extend the title battle to Brazil is if Russell wins and Antonelli finishes 10th or lower, or if Hamilton wins and Antonelli finishes outside the points.
What are the championship standings after the F1 United States Grand Prix?
- Kimi Antonelli - 365
- George Russell - 242
- Lewis Hamilton - 241
- Max Verstappen - 236
- Charles Leclerc - 233
- Lando Norris - 211
- Oscar Piastri - 144
- Isack Hadjar - 105
- Liam Lawson - 77
- Pierre Gasly - 42
- Arvid Lindblad - 38
- Franco Colapinto - 27
- Ollie Bearman - 23
- Nico Hulkenberg - 13
- Gabriel Bortoleto - 10
- Esteban Ocon - 7
- Fernando Alonso - 7
- Carlos Sainz - 7
- Alex Albon - 5
- Yuki Tsunoda - 1
- Lance Stroll - 0
- Valtteri Bottas - 0
- Sergio Perez - 0
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