Kimi Antonelli can be F1 champion in Austin: “If you think about it, it’s crazy. But that’s why I’m not going to think about it. I’ve heard that something catastrophic has to happen”
He doesn’t lose his nerve. Continue with the usual mentality: go out to win. That keeps him from thinking too much about the possibility for which he has been fighting since he was a child, burning stages at full speed at the pace of triumphs in karting and training categories, to finally stand in austin and have his first option to achieve his great dream: to be champion of F1.
Kimi Antonelli sat yesterday at the official FIA press conference next to the driver whom he had to replace two years ago in mercedesa Lewis Hamilton from whom he could learn a lot, and a Valtteri Bottas who was also a witness in the star’s chart of the transalpine’s growth since last year. There were many expectations in 2025 when he debuted as a replacement for Lewis, at only 18 years old in F1.
He went through difficult times. Some, including the writer of these lines, thought he had been put in a big group too soon, running the risk of burning him out. It was Toto Wolff’s decision. And in only his second year, Kimi has proven his boss right.
He found himself with the dominant car in his hands and took advantage of it, beating a Russell who had a hard time adapting to this new regulation car. And Kimi withstood the pressure and dominated before in this championship finale Red Bull gave him the car that Max Verstappen needed to fight to win.
Red Bull arrived late and the Italian faces the last six races with such a big advantage which makes you have his first match ball with other tests to be held apart from this weekend. He has it in his face and that makes him calm, relaxed, no matter how incredible it may seem to him to have his dream within his reach.
He will be the youngest champion
“It’s crazy, if you think about it. But that’s why I’m not going to think about it. I’ve heard that something catastrophic has to happen. I have to have a perfect weekend, and the others (Russell and Hamilton) have to have very poor results that are unlikely to happen. Anything can happen, of course, and it’s crazy to think about. But I had a meeting with Bono (his track engineer, Lewis’ ex) and he told me: ‘Have fun, have the same mentality as the rest of the year.’ We go race by race. I try to do my best every weekend, and then we’ll see. But if I do things well, those results will come,” said Kimi, who to be champion this weekend needs to win, with Hamilton being at most 5th and Russell, his teammate, 9th or worse. It is difficult for it to happen, also because Verstappen and Red Bull are favorites after the jump made with the evolution of his car since Baku. But he will go for it. And if not, he is in no hurry.
I had a meeting with Bono (his track engineer, Lewis’ ex) and he told me: ‘Have fun, have the same mentality as the rest of the year.’
“I’m in a good position. I’m going with the same mentality. I’m going to win, whether I win the championship this week, next week or if I do it in Brazil. But it’s not over until it’s over.”said Kimi, that when he achieves it, he will become the youngest F1 champion in history at 20 years old. He will surpass the record of Vettel, who won his first title in 2010 at the age of 23.
I was four years old when that happened. “I don’t remember anything from when I was four years old. I had my strollers and played with them. Then when I grew up I saw that race, it was crazy. A very tight fight. Beat the record? I thought about it recently. Obviously, I’m in an incredible situation. This year, because of how things have gone and how I have felt in the car and all the positive uncertainty, I thought I would have the chance to fight for the championship and luckily I am in a good position. The mentality will always be to win. I want to finish the season on a high and you want to leave with maximum hope for next season. The car we have is very strong. The team has done a great job to make this package and has given us the opportunity to fight.”he commented.
But… What if it arrives this weekend? “It would be a dream. It’s something I’ve dreamed of since I was little. Just finding yourself in the position I’m in is incredible. And at the same time, I need to keep pushing, because this isn’t over yet. First you have to finish the job and then we can enjoy the rest. Although it would undoubtedly be incredible… but there is still a little bit left,” he said with a laugh.
I don’t remember anything from when I was four years old (when Vettel achieved the record for youngest champion). I had my strollers and played with them. Then when I grew up I saw that race, it was crazy. A very tight fight. Beat the record? I thought about it recently. Obviously, I’m in an incredible situation.
Hamilton surrenders to Kimi
At his side, Lewis was asked to give him some advice to face this very special moment.
He has demonstrated his talent, skill, calm and focus. He has done a great job and I am very proud of him.
“I don’t think he needs advice. He has shown last year, but especially this year, his talent and skill, his calm and his focus. He has done a great job and I am very proud of him, proud of how he has behaved among all the drivers and with you, the press. “I’m happy to see him perform at this level and if it’s not my team, I always like to see my old team perform well.”said the Englishman.
Also Bottas he praised him. “His year has been an incredible year. Last year I followed him more closely being at Mercedes. I have seen how he developed, how he gained confidence in and out of the car, his comments, everything.. And this year it is on another level. It makes me proud. He has done a great job. But as the year progresses and everything heats up and things get complicated… and we are in Austin, and the truth is that he has not shown weakness or weakness. “He’s like a fish in water and that’s something I like to see,” commented the Finn.
