Antonelli Can Clinch the Title in Mexico With a Ninth-Place Finish
Kimi Antonelli can win the 2026 Formula One world championship at the Mexican Grand Prix by finishing ninth or higher. The Guardian That result would make the 20-year-old the youngest world champion in the sport's history.
He arrives in Mexico City with a commanding lead. Ahead of the race, Antonelli sits 123 points clear of his Mercedes teammate George Russell and 124 points ahead of Lewis Hamilton, who drives for Ferrari. Reuters Points go to the top ten finishers, with the winner taking the most, so every finish counts over a season.
Most of that lead has been built on wins. Antonelli has nine victories this year, against three for Russell. His latest came in Austin, Texas, where he won the US Grand Prix for Mercedes on October 25. Reuters After Russell won the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, Antonelli took five wins in a row and took the championship lead, which he has not given up since.
Russell, 28, has had a hard year. He said it will not define his career. He also said he has 12 to 15 years left in which to come back and win the world championship. The Guardian Russell's three wins came in Australia, Austria and Baku, and he is currently fighting for second place overall.
That battle is tight. Russell is one point ahead of Hamilton and six points ahead of Max Verstappen. The Guardian A single lost position in Mexico could change the order of the chasing pack, even if it does nothing to Antonelli's lead at the top.
Antonelli's preparation has had a scare. He missed Thursday's media duties, the press sessions drivers attend before a race weekend, because of a viral illness. The FIA, motor sport's governing body, gave him permission to skip them. He is expected to drive in Friday's first practice session. The Guardian Valtteri Bottas also missed Thursday's media duties because he was unwell.
For the title, the sums are simple to state. Antonelli does not need to win in Mexico. He needs to finish ninth or better and the title is his, whatever happens behind him. Anything lower keeps the championship open for another race, with the chasing drivers needing a strong result of their own to close the gap.
