On the brink of his first Formula 1 championship, Kimi Antonelli already stands alone.
The 20-year-old driver, who races for Mercedes, has a chance to clinch his first F1 title on Sunday, Nov. 1 at the Mexico City Grand Prix. He would pass Sebastian Vettel, who won his first championship in 2010 at the age of 23, to hold the record for youngest driver to capture the crown.
All eyes are on the Italian as he hasbeen battling illness and exhaustion and will start the Mexico City race in fifth position.
In 2024, the Silver Arrows shocked the motorsports world when they announced that he would be replacing Lewis Hamilton at the age of 18 as the seven-time champion was leaving for Ferrari. At the time, George Russell was expected to carry the mantle
for Mercedes.
But Antonelli has defied all odds and has already set records as the youngest driver to lead the championship, to start a race on pole position and to win the esteemed Monaco Grand Prix.
Who is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is a Formula 1 driver for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. At 20 years old, the Italian is already making F1 history after replacing seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton at the Silver Arrows.
He has racing in his blood and his father, Marco, was a touring car driver and GT racer who also has his own team, Antonelli Motorsport. Kimi has already set records as the youngest driver to lead the championship, to start a race on pole position and to win the Monaco Grand Prix.
In the flashy world of F1, Antonelli stands out for his humility. Per ESPN, Hamilton applauded Antonelli for "his calmness and his approach" while four-time champion Max Verstappen appreciated how the rising star is "just very genuine" and "has a very good heart."
How can Kimi Antonelli win the F1 championship in Mexico?
Kimi Antonelli can win his first F1 title at the Mexico City Grand Prix by finishing in ninth place or higher. Unlike last week's race at theUnited States Grand Prix in Austin, it does not matter where the other drivers finish for the 20-year-old to make history as the youngest champion if he finishes at least in ninth place. Antonelli won the Texas race, but George Russell and Lewis Hamilton finished too high for him to clinch the title.
Antonelli can also clinch the championship if he finishes 10th in Mexico City and Russell does not win the race. If he finishes 11th or below, there is a chance he can take the crown if neither Russell nor Hamilton cross the checkered flag first.
Russell and Hamilton are the only other two drivers who still have a chance at the championship.
The Italian driver has 365 points and has won nine races this year, including five consecutive victories toward the start of the season.
How old is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is 20 years old. He was born on Aug. 25, 2006.
He made his debut in Formula 1 last year at the age of 18.
What team does Kimi Antonelli race for?
Kimi Antonelli races for Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS. He replaced F1 icon Lewis Hamilton when the seven-time champion left to join Ferrari in 2025. His teammate is George Russell.
What nationality is Kimi Antonelli?
Kimi Antonelli is Italian and hails from the city of Bologna. Besides Ferrari's rich legacy as an Italian outfit in the motorsport series, he is one of 16 Italian drivers who have won an F1 race and is putting Italy back on the F1 map followng a hiatus after the country's early success. Giuseppe "Nino" Farina was the first Italian to win a race and won the first ever F1 championship in 1950 when he did so with Alfa Romeo. Alberto Ascari is a two-time F1 champion and won the title in 1952 and 1953 for the Scuderia.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Kimi Antonelli? What to know about F1's potential new champion
