Kimi Antonelli Needs Ninth Place to Become F1's Youngest Champion

Formula 1 drivers spend most of their careers chasing a single trophy, but for Kimi Antonelli, the trophy is nearly in hand before the car even starts the engine in Mexico City.

The 18-year-old Mercedes driver will attempt to secure the world championship on Sunday. He currently holds a lead that allows him to win the title by finishing as low as ninth in the race.

This result would break the record for the youngest world champion, a mark that has stood since Sebastian Vettel claimed the crown in 2010 at age 23. If Antonelli wins, he will also become the first Italian driver to hold the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

Antonelli arrived in Mexico while battling a viral infection that kept him out of the media session on Thursday. His team expects him to return to the track for the first practice session on Friday.

The Italian driver secured his ninth victory of the season in Texas last week. He said he is excited to clinch the title with a strong performance, though he knows he can win it even without scoring points if neither Lewis Hamilton nor his teammate George Russell takes the victory.

"I'm very excited. I would love to clinch the title in style with a great result," Antonelli said. "I'm just going to try to enjoy every moment because they're moments that will always be remembered."

Mercedes can also claim the constructors' title on Sunday. This would be their first such victory since 2021, but it requires a high points finish for both Antonelli and Russell, paired with a poor showing from second-place Ferrari.

The race takes place at the Mexico City Grand Prix, located at an altitude of 2,240 meters above sea level. The thin air reduces oxygen for engines and makes it harder to cool components like brakes.

George Russell noted that Ferrari might have an advantage in these conditions because they use a smaller turbo than most teams. This could help them manage the reduced power and heat issues better than their rivals.

The weekend also involves personnel changes at Cadillac. Colton Herta will drive Valtteri Bottas's car in the first practice session. Bottas's future with the team is undecided, while Sergio Perez recently signed an extension through 2029.