How Kimi Antonelli can win the F1 Drivers title at US Grand Prix

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of becoming Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion in Austin, at the United States Grand Prix, but how can he do it?

Feature image credit: Mercedes F1

After what has been an impressive sophomore season for Mercedes’ lesser-experienced driver, Antonelli, the young Italian has demonstrated exactly why the Silver Arrows placed their faith in choosing the 20-year-old to replace Lewis Hamilton.

Although he has not taken a win in the last three races, during F1’s first triple header of the season, consistent point-scoring events and a third-place finish at the Singapore Grand Prix has brought the dropped the drivers title right on Antonelli’s feet.

With the Qatar and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix’s still scheduled on the calendar, it means there are a maximum total of 150 points left up for grabs, and Antonelli sits 102 points ahead of his second-placed teammate, George Russell, after the Briton could only best ninth at last weekend’s race.

However, after the US GP, there will only be a total of 125 left, meaning the US Grand Prix becomes Antonelli’s earliest opportunity to wrap up the title, with his rivals needing to be within 124 points of the Italian championship leader.

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So how can he secure the drivers title?

To take the title, Antonelli will need to outscore Russell by 23 points in the next race weekend, as such he will have to win the race to take the necessary points to wrap up the first of two championships. However, this depends on where Russell finishes.

If the Briton finishes eighth or higher, the championship will continue on to Mexico City. However, if Russell cannot best anything higher than ninth, and Antonelli wins, the title will be done.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton still remains in contention for the title, in third, 111 points adrift of the man who replaced him. However, the seven-time world champion still remains a factor in the fight, and cannot finish anywhere lower than fifth without ruling himself out of title contention.

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen (119), Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc (125) and McLaren’s Lando Norris (139) remain within championship contention, of the six drivers that remain, but an Antonelli win will rule them all of of contention.

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.