Antonelli keeps title talk at bay: 'I need to keep levelling up'

Formula 1 pundits may already be calculating championship permutations, but Kimi Antonelli wants no part of the conversation.

After storming to a fourth consecutive victory at the Canadian Grand Prix, the Mercedes sensation has established an imposing 43-point advantage. Yet while rivals, fans and the media debate whether the title race is tilting decisively in his favour, Antonelli remains determined to keep his eyes fixed on the next corner rather than the championship trophy.

Why it matters:

Antonelli's extraordinary form — victories in China, Japan, Miami and Montreal — has transformed a close contest into a sizeable lead. His approach of focusing on the process rather than the prize is reminiscent of champions past, and his rivals face mounting pressure to halt momentum as F1 enters a relentless European schedule.

The details:

• Mindset: "I’m not thinking about the championship. I’m just focusing on race by race," Antonelli said. "I need to keep levelling up and keep raising the bar."
• Russell rivalry: Before teammate George Russell's retirement in Montreal, the pair engaged in a fierce battle that Antonelli called "a lot of fun" and "on the edge." Russell remains a threat, despite the points gap.
• Package uncertainty: Despite Mercedes' unbeaten start, Antonelli admits the team isn't fully clear on its new upgrade package due to tricky tyre conditions in Canada. "I think we will have a better picture in the next few races."

What's next:

If Antonelli's assessment proves correct and further performance is still to be unlocked, the European leg could become less about whether he can win the championship and more about who can stop him. But for now, the 18-year-old refuses to be drawn into that conversation — he's still racing like a hunter, not the hunted.