Why Monza's victory from 19th position still doesn't top Kimi Antonelli's commanding 2026 F1 season.

His success on Sunday contrasted sharply with Monza, as he began from pole and executed a one-stop strategy, while other contenders opted for two stops, winning by 13 seconds ahead of second-place Charles Leclerc.

“At Monza, we clearly had the quickest car,” Antonelli reflected. “We were incredibly fast, so it was exceptionally special to come from the back.

“However, that track made overtaking relatively straightforward, and we had such pace. Undoubtedly, Monza was incredibly special and one I will always remember.

“But this race, in terms of execution, was likely better, as we built up and improved our performance throughout the weekend significantly.”

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes, George Russell, Mercedes at Monza

This leaves Antonelli with a 123-point lead over teammate George Russell in second place, meaning he only requires two points in Mexico next weekend to secure his first title.

He would achieve this with four races still to go in what has been an exhilarating season for the sophomore driver, whose teammate was favored for the title heading into the new regulations.

“Well, undoubtedly, it’s been a pleasant surprise this season thus far,” Antonelli added. “Of course, it's not over yet. There are still a few races where I aim to perform well and continue vying for victories.

“It would be great to finish on a high note. However, looking back at the season, there are still areas for improvement, particularly in my mindset during certain situations and how I handle specific scenarios.

“So, definitely, at the end of the season, I’ll have more time to reflect on what went well and what could have been improved.

“But undoubtedly, it's been a very consistent season so far, and we’ll strive to maintain that until the conclusion.”

The leap Antonelli made from his first to his second year was significant, and the way he tackled the Austin weekend clearly showcased his progress.

Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes

This was his first opportunity to clinch the title, and rather than becoming anxious about it, Antonelli approached the race with his usual demeanor, setting himself up for a strong chance in Mexico.

“I’m very fortunate to have a fantastic support team around me,” he stated. “In the team, I have my father, who is always present, along with my performance coach.

“I’m surrounded by a great group of people who help me stay relaxed and not stress over these kinds of matters.

“They assist me in tuning out distractions, which has allowed me to enjoy the weekend and perform well.

“There's been a lot of discussion, especially on Thursday regarding the championship, and I just focused on not letting that affect me and aimed to deliver the best result possible.

“Today was a crucial result for both me and the team.”