Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli arrived at the Mexican Grand Prix on Sunday, accompanied by his sister, Maggie. The 20-year-old will be supported by his younger sister today as he is in a strong position to clinch the 2026 F1 drivers’ title in Mexico City.
Maggie is not the only member of the Antonelli family who will be present as Kimi goes into the race with a great chance of claiming his maiden F1 title on Sunday. Confirmed by photojournalist Kym Illman, Antonelli’s entire family is present at the circuit to cheer him on.
On Friday and Saturday, Marco was in Mugello, Italy, for the final round of the Italian GT Endurance Championship, in which his own team, AKM Motorsport, was taking part. Marco explained that he needed to be with his team in what was a big moment, as the outfit stood a chance to secure the title in the final race. Today, he will join his son in Mexico City.
Unfortunately for Marco, his AKM team fell short on the final hurdle, losing the title to Rinaldi Racing on Sunday, despite arriving at the race with a 14-point lead.
Kimi Antonelli Starts Season-defining Mexican GP from P4
Antonelli will start Sunday’s Mexican GP from P4 following a steady qualifying session at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez on Saturday. While his only two championship competitors start the race in front of him, holding on to his starting position will be enough for the Mercedes driver to claim the title.
Lewis Hamilton secured pole, while George Russell qualified in P2 in Mexico on Saturday. But all Antonelli needs to knock both Britons out and win the championship is to finish within the top nine, irrespective of their results.
Even if Antonelli fails to finish in the points, he could still become world champion if Hamilton or Russell fail to win the race. Meanwhile, if Antonelli finishes 10th and scores just one point, Russell would have to win the race to take the fight to Brazil.
Kimi Antonelli ‘More Tense Than Usual’ at the Mexican GP as Title Win Looms Large
Antonelli claimed that he did not do a satisfactory job in qualifying for the Mexican GP on Saturday, explaining that he has been ‘more tense this weekend than usual’. The youngster on the brink of history admitted that it has been difficult for him to keep his emotions in check this weekend.
“I just feel like I didn’t do a good enough job out there and didn’t have the most confidence. Definitely I’ve been a bit more tense this weekend than usual, but yeah, still a lot to play for tomorrow,” Antonelli told the media after qualifying.
“I mean, it hasn’t been easy this weekend, to be fair. It hasn’t been easy, especially to keep my emotions flat, and definitely I’ve been a bit more tense than usual so also that played a big factor. But I’ll try to enjoy the evening with family and friends and then focus onto tomorrow,” he added.
If Antonelli claims the 2026 drivers’ title in Mexico, or at any point this season, he will become the youngest ever F1 world champion in history, beating Sebastian Vettel’s record. The German driver was 23 years and four months old when he won his maiden title in 2010, while Antonelli is only 20 years and two months old at the moment and could potentially obliterate the record.
More F1 Reading
- Lewis Hamilton Grateful To Race in Same Era as Kimi Antonelli but Wants ‘Actual Battles’ With Him Next Year
- Mexican GP Starting Grid: Who Starts Where After Max Verstappen’s Penalty, Liam Lawson’s Disqualification
- Who Were Hermanos Rodriguez, the F1 Legends Mexican GP’s Circuit Is Named After?
- Sergio Perez’s New Cadillac Deal Worth More Than $100 Million Over Three Years, Insiders Claim
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Lewis Hamilton Grateful To Race in Same Era as Kimi Antonelli but Wants ‘Actual Battles’ With Him Next Year
Mexican GP Starting Grid: Who Starts Where After Max Verstappen’s Penalty, Liam Lawson’s Disqualification
Who Were Hermanos Rodriguez, the F1 Legends Mexican GP’s Circuit Is Named After?
Sergio Perez’s New Cadillac Deal Worth More Than $100 Million Over Three Years, Insiders Claim
