Antonelli says Austin title requires a perfect weekend and poor results from rivals

Kimi Antonelli has his first chance to clinch the Formula 1 title at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix. On Thursday, he said winning his maiden championship in Austin “would be a dream”, but he would need a perfect weekend and poor results from rivals—a combination he considers unlikely.

The BBC says Antonelli must win, George Russell must finish outside the top eight and Lewis Hamilton outside the top four. Formula 1’s preview also said Hamilton and Max Verstappen would need to finish down the order; it does not give their exact finishing positions, and Verstappen is not included in the BBC’s listed conditions.

Antonelli said he was trying not to dwell on the title. He and race engineer Bono had agreed to keep the same mindset he has used all season and “just have fun”. He said he would take one race at a time.

His 2026 season has produced eight wins and six further podiums across 17 Grands Prix. If he wins the title this season at age 20, he would surpass Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 record as the youngest driver to claim a maiden F1 title.