‘He deserves it’: F1 grid backs Antonelli as 2026 title looms

Kimi Antonelli is closing in on the 2026 Formula 1 world championship, and the verdict from the rest of the grid is increasingly unanimous: the Mercedes driver deserves it. As the Italian nears a first title, rivals have credited not just the car but the speed, composure and consistency that have defined his breakout season.

Why it matters:

Antonelli’s expected coronation would mark a rapid rise for a driver who only recently stepped into Mercedes’ senior line-up. It would also confirm the Silver Arrows’ return to the top under the 2026 regulations, with Antonelli emerging as the team’s clear lead title contender.

The details:

• The grid’s message is simple: Antonelli has produced the kind of season that leaves little room for argument.
• Rivals have highlighted his maturity in high-pressure moments, his ability to maximize Mercedes’ package and his calm execution across a long campaign.
• The “He deserves it” sentiment reflects a paddock view that the title would be a reward for performance rather than circumstance.

The big picture:

Mercedes’ 2026 strength has been central, but Antonelli’s season has not been viewed as a passenger’s run. In a year of new regulations and shifting competitive order, his adaptation has stood out. For F1, a first title for the young Italian would signal a generational shift at the front.

What’s next:

Antonelli can close out the championship if results fall his way in the coming rounds. The focus now shifts to whether he can finish the job cleanly — and how the grid’s respect shapes the narrative around a title that increasingly looks inevitable.