A boy chases history: Kimi Antonelli’s shot at F1 immortality

For 73 years, Italy waited for another Formula 1 world champion. The name at the top of the country’s history of title winners remains Alberto Ascari, whose triumphs in 1952 and 1953 belong to another era of this sport.

Now the 20-year-old from Bologna has a chance to end that wait. Kimi Antonelli arrives in Mexico City with one hand on the championship and the chance to become the youngest Formula 1 World Champion has ever seen. He needs just two points on Sunday. A top nine finish will be enough even if Mercedes teammate George Russell wins the race.

It’s a remarkable position for a driver in just his second season in the sport. Antonelli has won nine of 18 races so far, building a 123-point lead and turning what once promised to be a tight title race into history. The Mexican Grand Prix could provide the backdrop for its conclusion.

A CHANCE TO MAKE HISTORY

The numbers tell one part of Antonelli’s story. His nine wins have made him the dominant driver of the season, while his advantage over Russell reflects a level of consistency that his more experienced team-mate has struggled to match.

But the importance of this weekend goes beyond the championship standings. If Antonelli completes the job, he will become the youngest driver to win a Formula 1 world title. He would also become the first Italian champion since Ascari, ending a 73-year gap that has endured for generations of drivers.

Ascari remains one of the defining figures in Ferrari history. He won 13 of his 32 races and took the world title twice, in 1952 and 1953. Antonelli now has the chance to place his name next to that legacy, although his immediate task is much simpler: to get the points he wants and avoid turning a comfortable position into an unnecessary struggle.

His preparations were briefly interrupted by illness. Antonelli missed Thursday’s media commitments after coming down with a viral infection, raising questions about whether it could affect his weekend. However, he returned to the car on Friday and finished second in the opening practice before finishing fourth in FP2.

The young Italian spoke of keeping the same mindset and enjoying the last part of the season. With the title within reach, he wants to continue to fight for victory rather than let the prospect of making history become a distraction.

LECLERC GIVES THE HEAT

Antonelli may be the center of attention, but Friday’s ride suggested the race for victory may be more complicated than the championship picture. Charles Leclerc led both practices for Ferrari, setting the fastest time in the morning and improving again in the afternoon.

The Monaco finished ahead of Antonelli in FP1 and led Lando Norris and Russell in FP2. The times offered Ferrari an encouraging start, although Leclerc was cautious about drawing conclusions. He described the circuit as slippery and said the team still had to work out the restrictions.

Norris, last year’s winner in Mexico City, also showed promising pace with second place in the afternoon session. However, McLaren may not have the same advantage it had at this circuit a year ago. Lewis Hamilton had a tougher practice, lost power and stopped on track. The seven-time world champion, a two-time winner in Mexico, is third in the standings and sits just one point behind Russell.

Max Verstappen is another driver that cannot be overlooked. The Red Bull star has won five of his last eight appearances in Mexico and knows how to get the most out of the circuit. His FP2 session included contact with Liam Lawson, but his track record makes him a threat if Red Bull get the balance right.

RUSSELL’S HARD SEASON

For Russell, Mexico is another weekend in which he has to measure up against a teammate who has taken the season by storm. The Briton won three races compared to Antonelli’s nine and acknowledged that the Italian had performed at a higher level.

Russell also pointed to the challenges of adapting to the current generation of cars, saying the machinery didn’t suit his driving style. He’s very fond of emphasizing that one tough season doesn’t define his career. At 28, he believes he has plenty of time to return to the front.

That perspective may help him look beyond the immediate disappointment, but the contrast at Mercedes is hard to ignore. Antonelli turned his opportunity into a title challenge, while Russell struggled to understand why the same machinery produced such different results.

PEREZ’S HOME MILESTONE

In Mexico City, there will be another main event that belongs to Sergio Perez. The Cadillac driver is set to start his 300th Grand Prix in front of his home crowd, giving the weekend a personal meaning beyond the championship battle.

Perez missed last year’s Mexican Grand Prix after leaving Red Bull at the end of 2024. His return to the grid in front of home fans makes the milestone particularly meaningful, even if Cadillac is unlikely to contend at the front.

The weekend is also important for the order of constructors. Red Bull and McLaren are level on points, with Red Bull leading the countdown, while Audi and Haas are separated by just seven points in the battle for seventh place. Mercedes could mathematically secure the constructors’ title in Mexico, but Brazil looks a more realistic opportunity.

The atmosphere at the circuit will be shaped by the Day of the Dead celebrations, adding another layer to a weekend already rich in history and anticipation.

For Antonelli, however, the task is clear. He doesn’t need a win, a pole position or another record drive. Two points will do. Still, the possibility of what those points could mean gives this race meaning far beyond the result.

Italy was waiting from Ascari. Formula 1 has never had a champion as young as Antonelli. Mexico City could be the place where both stories change.

– The end