Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has a chance of becoming the youngest Formula 1 world champion of all time if he wins at the United States Grand Prix and is backed up by the necessary finishes of his championship rivals.
The 20-year-old current driver’s standings leader in 2026 with 340 points after 17 races, 102 clear of second-placed teammate George Russell (238).
Lewis Hamilton on 229, then Max Verstappen on 221, Charles Leclerc on 215 and Lando Norris on 201.
Antonelli’s incredible second season in Formula 1 continues, having replaced Hamilton at Mercedes at the end of 2025. He’s finished on the podium 14 times this season, putting himself as the championship favourite.
But the Mercedes driver will need to stretch his lead at least another 23 points in Austin to win the championship before the final five races.
For that to happen, Antonelli needs to win the race, while Russell needs to finish ninth or below, and Hamilton needs to finish fifth or below.
Those can become reality for Antonelli if those results happen; he would be the youngest world champion in history at 20 years and 61 days, breaking the record held by Sebastian Vettel. He would also be Italy’s first F1 world champion since 1953.
The United States GP is on Sunday, October 25, and the fight for the title could have a crucial moment at the Circuit of the Americas.
