Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of his first Formula 1 World Championship title, and Lando Norris draws a remarkable comparison with Mercedes team-mate George Russell
Championship leader Kimi Antonelli could be crowned Formula 1 World Champion ahead of schedule at the 2026 United States Grand Prix in Austin. For many of his fellow drivers, this comes as no surprise. Charles Leclerc, for example, says: “He’s had a perfect season. That’s why I think it’s only a matter of time. And he’d absolutely deserve it.”
Antonelli has taken Formula 1 by storm in 2026: he secured his first victory as early as the second Grand Prix and has gone on to claim seven more wins since then. He has led the drivers’ championship since the spring. Now he has his first ‘match point’.
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton was asked at the press conference in Austin whether he could offer Antonelli any advice ahead of this decisive moment. His reply: “Slow down!”
Hamilton added, in all seriousness: “Kimi doesn’t need any advice. I think he’s already demonstrated his talent and skills, his composure and his approach last year, but particularly this year.”
Antonelli leaves even Russell well behind
Above all, Antonelli managed to clearly assert himself within the team against George Russell, who was the pre-season favourite. This has surprised reigning world champion Lando Norris: “I think highly of George, and I think he’s a very good driver. But Kimi was two classes better than George throughout the entire season. He’s done a truly incredible job.”
From a difficult rookie year to world championship favourite
Yet as successful as Antonelli’s 2026 season has been so far, his Formula 1 career began just as difficultly when he succeeded Hamilton at Mercedes in 2025. Nico Hülkenberg spoke of an “incredible turnaround, considering how different the situation looked about twelve months ago”.
At the time, Antonelli was certainly the subject of criticism – and so was Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. However, the current standings in the drivers’ championship prove Wolff right for having stuck with Antonelli. “It just shows how quickly things can change in this business,” said Hülkenberg.
Simply “perfect timing” for Antonelli?
Carlos Sainz knows this all too well: he had to vacate his seat at Ferrari at the end of 2024 so that Hamilton could move to the Scuderia in 2025. Since then, Sainz has been driving for Williams – and has mostly been trailing behind. “In Formula 1, it’s very often about being in the right place at the right time,” said Sainz.
Antonelli has demonstrated perfect timing: “The fact that the regulations have changed and he’s now driving cars that definitely suit his driving style better is exactly the sort of thing that can change a life and a career. And he’s made the most of it. He deserves great respect for that.”
“Because to come back like that after a difficult rookie season and put in such a consistently strong season is truly impressive and says a lot about him,” said Sainz.
Leclerc describes this very development as the biggest “surprise” of the year: “Even from the very first laps in this car, we could see that he was very strong. I think you could tell that this type of car suits him much better and that the hard work he put in between the two seasons has paid off.”
Antonelli has adapted “very well” to the new circumstances in Formula 1, said Oscar Piastri. “And if he wins the World Championship – not ‘if’, but ‘when’ – then he will be a thoroughly deserving World Champion this year.”
Hamilton impressed by Antonelli’s handling of the pressure
For Hamilton, however, Antonelli’s mental resilience is the key factor: he has not let himself be overwhelmed by the “enormous expectations” and the intense pressure to succeed within a top team – quite the opposite.
“ “You never know how someone will cope under pressure until you actually see it,” said Hamilton. “I think he’s handled it with real composure. I’d say there’s a rather mature personality inside that young body. That’s why he deserves to be world champion. And I’m looking forward to racing against him for a long time to come.”