Kimi Antonelli can become Formula One's youngest world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix later on Sunday. The 20-year-old Italian qualified fifth on Saturday, AFP reported. He will start fourth because Red Bull's Max Verstappen has a grid penalty. A finish of ninth or better will give him the title even if one of his rivals wins the race.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton starts from pole. It is the record 105th pole of his career and his first for Ferrari. Mercedes driver George Russell starts second. Russell is 123 points behind Antonelli, and Hamilton is 124 behind. According to Citizen Digital, they can only delay the title if one of them wins and Antonelli finishes 10th or worse. The Guardian reported that Antonelli would still be crowned even if he retired on the first lap, as long as neither rival won.
Antonelli said he struggled to get a good feeling with the tyres in the final part of qualifying. He admitted he was "a bit more tense than usual" and still not feeling 100%. He missed Thursday's media day with a virus. Mercedes said he was unwell and needed to recover properly. Antonelli added that his lap had "many mistakes" but there was still "a lot to play for".
If he wins the title, Antonelli will be champion at 20 years and 68 days. That would beat Sebastian Vettel's record by more than three years, Citizen Digital reported. He would also be Italy's first champion since Alberto Ascari won for Ferrari in 1953. Antonelli has won nine of this year's 18 races, including the United States Grand Prix in Austin last Sunday. Mercedes could also clinch the constructors' championship in Mexico.
Team boss Toto Wolff expects a celebration this weekend or at the next race in Brazil. "It's going to be a tequila party," he said. Hamilton described Antonelli as "a relatively old soul in that young body" who has taken the pressure in his stride. Former Ferrari president Luca di Montezemolo told Spain's AS newspaper that he regretted Ferrari had the chance to sign Antonelli as a boy and did not.
The weekend has other storylines too. Haas replaced Esteban Ocon with reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the rest of the weekend, the BBC reported. Haas gave no reason but said Ocon was not ill. Home driver Sergio Perez of Cadillac is set for his 300th race start. Four races will remain in the season after Mexico.