Kimi Antonelli could make F1 historical past in Texas because the youngest-ever champion. Here’s how.

Now, with six races to go, he sits 102 factors forward. If his lead reaches the magic variety of 125 this weekend, no one can be ready mathematically to catch him for the remainder of the season.

Three issues should occur Sunday for Antonelli to go away Texas because the planet champion. First, he should win the race. Second, he wants his Mercedes teammate and chief rival, Russell, to complete ninth or worse. Third, he wants Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton to complete fifth or worse.

Antonelli is on monitor to interrupt a document set in 2010 by Sebastian Vettel, who grew to become the youngest-ever planet champion in a title-deciding thriller. Antonelli was 4 years outdated then.

“I keep in mind I used to be enjoying with Hot Wheels,” he quipped.

He stays the heavy favourite to seize the 2026 crown this yr, even when he falls quick in Austin.

Antonelli instructed NBC News that he solely not too long ago started to consider he might break Vettel’s document. “Obviously, I’m in an unbelievable place,” he stated. “The mindset is all the time the identical: Whenever I’m going on monitor, I need to be on the prime and attempt to win as a lot as attainable, whether or not I win the championship this weekend, subsequent weekend or in Brazil. Let’s see. But it’s not over till it’s over.”

The last races are scheduled to happen in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi, respectively.

Russell, who’s racing in his eighth F1 season, started 2026 because the title favourite. That notion was confirmed when he received the opening race of the season in Australia. But from there his marketing campaign started to disintegrate: Antonelli received the subsequent 5 races and constructed a lead that he by no means relinquished.