Antonelli closes in on historic F1 title as Verstappen and Norris weigh in

Kimi Antonelli is closing in on a maiden Formula 1 world title. With eight or nine races remaining, the Mercedes driver holds an 80-point lead after winning in Madrid, and teammate George Russell can no longer catch him. At 20, Antonelli would replace Sebastian Vettel as the youngest champion in F1 history.

Why it matters:

Mercedes has a second-year driver on the verge of a title, resetting the 2026 fight. Rivals are already treating him as a long-term threat.

The details:

• Russell out of contention: After Madrid, Russell admitted he is no longer in the fight. Even if he wins every remaining race, Antonelli can take the title by finishing second each time.
• Verstappen's reality: Max Verstappen joked he is "definitely not having a comeback" and can now only target race wins. Failing to win a grand prix this season would be his first winless year since 2015.
• Norris's warning: Lando Norris refused to give advice, saying Antonelli is doing a "scarily good job." He added that the Italian is not driving like a second-year driver.
• Verstappen's advice: "Kimi just needs to do what he's doing. He should not stress about it too much."

Between the lines:

Antonelli says he is not thinking about the title, and his rivals believe that is exactly the right mindset. Norris expects "many, many more years" of battling the 20-year-old.

What's next:

With a comfortable margin, Antonelli can focus on race-by-race consistency. The remaining flyaway rounds, including the Middle East finale, will test his nerves. If he closes it out, he will make history and signal a new era.