Lewis Hamilton and George Russell: The World Championship title no longer matters

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell could, under certain circumstances, keep the World Championship battle alive with a win: but why neither driver believes they can win the title anymore

There is hardly any doubt left that Kimi Antonelli will clinch his first Formula 1 World Championship title on Sunday. Yet Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton and his Mercedes team-mate George Russell did everything they could in Saturday’s qualifying to keep their already slim World Championship hopes alive.

Only a victory at the Mexican Grand Prix would keep the two challengers in the title race at all. With Hamilton on pole and Russell in second on the grid, everything now suggests that one of the two title contenders could indeed take the win on Sunday.

But “we’re not really thinking about that at all,” says Hamilton. “We’re simply focusing on achieving the best possible result for the team. We’re at high altitude here, and this is probably the only circuit this weekend where raw engine power isn’t the deciding factor.”

The seven-time world champion secured his first pole position for Ferrari on Saturday and could follow it up with his second victory for the Scuderia on Sunday. Hamilton believes the chances of that are not bad. “The performance gaps are smaller, which puts us in a good position for the battle.”

Lewis Hamilton has his sights set on the Constructors’ Championship

The fact that Hamilton does not believe he can win the Drivers’ Championship is also down to the championship leader’s starting position. After all, even a ninth-place finish would be enough for Antonelli to secure the title early. “Kimi has driven very strongly so far and has done exactly what he needed to do,” says Hamilton, alluding to the Mercedes driver’s fourth place on the grid.

“He basically just needs to hold his position; he’s following his own path, so to speak,” adds the Ferrari driver. “Our aim is to deliver our best possible performance this weekend and defend second place in the Constructors’ Championship.”

For Ferrari, therefore, the main priority is to stay ahead of both McLaren drivers, Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar in the Red Bull. “And if we could even reduce the gap to Mercedes a little, that would be brilliant,” says Hamilton.

George Russell wants to “finish the season strongly”

George Russell, too, has little hope left of playing a decisive role in the world championship battle. “It’s actually inevitable that [Antonelli] will win the championship, most likely as early as this weekend,” the Mercedes driver is certain.

“For me personally, it’s simply a matter of having a good race.” Although Russell narrowly missed out on pole in qualifying, anything is still possible in the race (follow it on our live ticker!). “I want to finish the season strongly; that’s my top priority.”

The battle for the Drivers’ Championship and the head-to-head with Antonelli, however, are no longer the focus for the Briton. “In my mind, he’s actually already won the championship, so I don’t need to give this any further thought,” says Russell.

Hamilton: “Simply phenomenal” – what Antonelli has achieved

Whilst Russell would probably have preferred to win the World Championship title himself, title rival Lewis Hamilton is delighted with the Italian’s progress. “For me, it’s really great to see how a young driver like Kimi has developed,” says the Ferrari driver.

The former Mercedes driver has witnessed Antonelli’s entire journey, “from the little boy standing at the back of the garage, through his time in the engineering room, right up to him now taking my place in a team that I love very much and for which I have worked for many, many years.”

“He’s had a difficult, challenging year over the past year, and now, this season, he’s performing absolutely flawlessly,” Hamilton praises. “It’s really great to see. Besides, records are there to be broken. I think it’s brilliant that he’s set to become the youngest champion of all time.”

“It’s simply phenomenal what he’s already achieved at such a young age. He has a brilliant future ahead of him. I’m grateful to be active at a time when I can witness this. I very much hope that we’ll be able to have some real battles against each other in the future.”

“Unfortunately, it didn’t happen this year – he usually just overtook us on the straights,” adds Hamilton with a smile. “So I hope we can give him a better run for his money next year, so that it really comes down to driving ability. I’m absolutely delighted for him.”