Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of becoming the youngest-ever Formula One drivers' champion as the series arrives in Mexico City. The Mercedes driver holds a 123-point advantage over team-mate George Russell, who is second in the standings, and leads third-placed Lewis Hamilton by 124 points.
Antonelli has won half of the 18 races so far this season, leaving the rest of the field behind. He had the chance to seal the title in Austin, Texas, where he took a comfortable race win, but Russell finished eighth, enough to delay Antonelli's celebrations.
What Antonelli needs to win the title
Heading into round 19, Antonelli will be crowned champion with any finish of ninth or better, regardless of where Russell and Hamilton finish. He will also take the title if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race.
Antonelli may be wary that Hamilton has taken his first pole position in over three years, since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023, a gap of 1,197 days, in Mexico City. Should Antonelli finish tenth or lower, or fail to finish, Russell or Hamilton could keep the title fight alive with a race win.
Drivers' standings top ten ahead of the Mexico City Grand Prix
- Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) - 365 points (9 wins, 15 podium finishes)
- George Russell (Mercedes) - 242 points (3 wins, 8 podiums)
- Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) - 241 points (1 win, 6 podiums)
- Max Verstappen (Red Bull) - 236 points (2 wins, 10 podiums)
- Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) - 233 points (1 win, 6 podiums)
- Lando Norris (McLaren) - 211 points (2 wins, 5 podiums)
- Oscar Piastri (McLaren) - 144 points (0 wins, 2 podiums)
- Isack Hadjar (Red Bull) - 105 points (0 wins, 2 podiums)
- Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls) - 77 points (0 wins, 0 podiums)
- Pierre Gasly (Alpine) - 42 points (0 wins, 0 podiums)
Antonelli holds all the cards as he looks to confirm his standing as this season's F1 world champion, with the odds heavily in his favour.
