Fans back Kimi Antonelli for 2026 F1 title glory

A decisive majority of F1 fans believe Mercedes rookie Kimi Antonelli will win the world championship in 2026, following his breakthrough maiden Grand Prix victory in China. The Italian became the youngest-ever pole-sitter before dominating the race, positioning himself as a key title contender alongside teammate George Russell in what appears to be a dominant Mercedes car this season.

Why it matters:

The poll reflects not just belief in Antonelli's prodigious talent, but the hope for ending a historic drought. Italy has not celebrated a Formula 1 World Champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, a 73-year gap marked by near-misses. A title for Antonelli would not only crown a sensational rookie season but also restore Italian motor racing pride on the sport's biggest stage.

The details:

• A RacingNews365 poll asked readers if Antonelli could win the 2026 title, with nearly two-thirds (just under 65%) voting 'yes'.
• Antonelli's victory in Shanghai came a day after he broke Sebastian Vettel's 18-year-old record to become the youngest driver to secure a pole position.
• He and teammate George Russell, who leads the championship by four points, have emerged as the clear favorites, each with one Grand Prix win so far in the dominant Mercedes W17.
• Historically, winning a first title in the same year as a first Grand Prix victory is rare. Antonelli would join an exclusive list of just six drivers to achieve this, including legends like Jack Brabham (1959), Graham Hill (1962), and Keke Rosberg (1982).

What's next:

The 2026 season is still in its early stages, but the narrative is firmly set. The internal battle at Mercedes between the experienced Russell and the sensational rookie Antonelli will be a central storyline. While fan sentiment is strongly behind the Italian, converting that belief into a championship will require consistent performance and reliability over a long campaign. The poll result adds significant pressure and expectation onto the 19-year-old's shoulders as he aims to make history.