Kimi Antonelli admits that claiming his maiden Method 1 title this weekend in the USA Grand Prix “could be a dream”, however that he’ll want a “excellent weekend” so as to obtain the feat.
The Mercedes driver stands on the cusp of the title in Austin after a shocking sophomore season, which has up to now produced eight wins and an extra six podiums throughout 17 Grands Prix.
Antonelli might want to take victory in Sunday’s Grand Prix and hope that staff mate and nearest rival George Russell finishes no greater than ninth, whereas the likes of Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Crimson Bull’s Max Verstappen would additionally want to complete down the order.
“It is loopy if you concentrate on it, however that is why I will not give it some thought,” stated Antonelli on Thursday’s media day when requested how he was approaching the weekend.
“For me [it] must be an ideal weekend and the others, they should do a poor consequence, which is unlikely to occur. After all, something can occur and it is loopy to consider it.
“We had a gathering with [race engineer] Bono this morning and we simply stated ‘simply have enjoyable’ and all the time the identical mindset that I had all 12 months.
“One race at a time and simply attempt to do the perfect I can each race weekend after which we’ll see. However in fact if I do issues properly, then the consequence will come.”
Antonelli would beat Sebastian Vettel‘s file from 2010 because the youngest driver to assert a maiden F1 title on the age of 20 if he achieves the feat this season.
Throughout Thursday’s press convention, Hamilton praised Antonelli on his season having labored with the Italian briefly throughout his closing marketing campaign with Mercedes in 2024 and forward of Antonelli’s F1 arrival.
When requested what it could be wish to observe within the footsteps of a seven-time World Champion, Antonelli replied: “It could be a dream. It is one thing I’ve dreamt of since I used to be little.
“Firstly, to seek out myself in such a place is unimaginable however on the similar time, I have to maintain going and pushing.
“It isn’t over but. First we’ll attempt to end the job correctly after which we will get pleasure from the remainder however for positive will likely be an unimaginable achievement. However there’s nonetheless a bit to go.”
