AUSTIN — Kimi Antonelli’s Title Chase

AUSTIN — Kimi Antonelli arrived in Austin, gearing up for the United States Grand Prix, where he has a mathematical shot at winning his first Drivers’ Championship.

While the odds depend on a “perfect” weekend for his team and some unfortunate events for his competitors, Antonelli expressed on Thursday that merely having a chance to claim the title at this Grand Prix is “incredible.” Plus, doing so in the footsteps of Lewis Hamilton adds to the excitement.

“It would be a dream. It’s something I’ve thought about since I was little,” Antonelli said during the FIA Press Conference at the Circuit of the Americas. “First of all, just being in this position is incredible.”

“But I also know I have to keep pushing; it’s not over yet. We’ll aim to finish the job right and then enjoy what’s next. Achieving this would be truly remarkable,” he continued.

Antonelli currently leads his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 102 points, with Hamilton, the six-time champion he succeeded at Mercedes, trailing by 111 points. For Antonelli to secure the title in Austin, he must win the race, and Russell needs to finish ninth or worse, while Hamilton must place fifth or lower.

Given his strong performance this season, Antonelli feels capable of delivering what’s required.

He credited his success to the foundation built during his time in junior formulas, which have paved the way for this moment.

“Of course, Formula One is different. The pressure is just… well, it’s a lot more intense. It’s a bigger stage than anything else. The competition is also tougher since you race against the 21 best drivers in the world,” Antonelli explained when reflecting on his previous championship battles. “So, it’s definitely more complicated in some ways. However, the mindset you develop from karting and the junior series remains similar when approaching races.”

“Having competed for championships in karting has definitely prepared me for situations like this,” he added.

Another key factor in Antonelli’s title run is his evolution as a driver, particularly in terms of mental resilience. After facing challenges during his rookie season, he bounced back from a significant crash in the final practice before this year’s Australian Grand Prix, ultimately qualifying well and finishing second.

Speaking on Thursday, he reflected on his growth from rookie to this season.

“If something like that had happened last year, after Melbourne, I think it would have seriously affected the rest of my weekend. But now, with a year of experience in Formula 1, I feel better returning this year,” he said. “Things tend to flow more easily, and I am not trying to force results like before. In my first season, I often tried too hard to get the lap times I wanted.”

“This year, I took a step back and focused on the essentials, enjoying the process as much as possible. I’m growing with the team, understanding the regulations better, and helping us squeeze out more performance from the car, while also communicating my needs effectively.”

“Mentally, I’m definitely in a happier place compared to last season. Working with the same team for a year makes a big difference; you get to know each other better, understand what you need from one another, and move forward as a team, even through tough times.”

Antonelli started the year in a much better place than he had last season.

And now, he’s on the brink of wrapping it up in an extremely positive way.

With a big trophy in sight as well.