If Kimi Antonelli secures the world championship title during the United States Grand Prix, he will break Sebastian Vettel‘s record as the youngest driver to be crowned champion. Furthermore, it would end a 73-year drought without Italian champions in F1. All this would be possible in just his second year in the championship and at only 20 years old.
Currently, Antonelli leads the standings with 340 points. His teammate, George Russell, is in second place with 238 points, while Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari is in third position with 229 points. Although technically the competition is still alive, Antonelli could secure the trophy if he wins at the Circuit of the Americas.
To achieve this, Antonelli must win the race, Russell must finish ninth or lower, and Hamilton must finish fifth or lower. With Russell anticipating a penalty for engine shaft issues, the odds for Antonelli seem promising.
Records within reach
If Antonelli wins in Austin, he would do so at the age of 20 years and 61 days, surpassing Vettel’s record by more than three years. Additionally, he would be the first driver born from 2000 onwards to win the championship, leaving behind Lando Norris, the last champion born in 1999.
He would also be the youngest Italian to achieve the title since Alberto Ascari, who won his last championship 73 years ago. Antonelli would become the third Italian to win an F1 title, after Nino Farina and Ascari, and he would be the first to do so without driving for an Italian team.
A bright future
A win in Austin would bring Antonelli to nine victories in his career, just four away from the Italian record held by Ascari with 13. He wouldn’t be the first driver to win the title in his second season; both Hamilton and Jacques Villeneuve achieved this.
Antonelli has already set several records this year, including the youngest to achieve pole in China, and he was recently the youngest to lead the championship at the Japanese Grand Prix. Fans are eagerly awaiting to see if Antonelli will make history in Austin.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
SourceID: SRC_1627168387af3af92e17b516f1a92f2eed7f4c5c