Kimi Antonelli sits on the edge of history as the twenty-year-old requires only two points at this weekend's Mexico Grand Prix to clinch the Formula One world championship. Securing the title will also make him the first Italian driver to claim the championship in 73 years. Alberto Ascari previously held that distinction for Italy, taking the trophy in 1953 after winning his first title the prior year.

Heading into Sunday's race, Antonelli already holds a commanding position. Even if he fails to score, the Mercedes driver only needs George Russell and Lewis Hamilton to miss the top step of the podium. He currently leads the standings by 123 points, with a maximum of 125 still available.

This year marked his first grand prix victory, which came at the Chinese Grand Prix. A visibly emotional Antonelli stood atop the podium for the first time and stated, "Thank you so much to my team because they have helped me to achieve this dream."

That maiden victory during the second race of the season followed a difficult rookie year. The Italian driver joined Mercedes at the start of the 2025 season to replace seven-time world champion Sir Lewis Hamilton, eventually finishing his debut campaign seventh in the standings. His confidence dipped mid-season, particularly after qualifying 18th at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa. Tearful at the time, Antonelli admitted, "It's a difficult moment for me with the car. I'm struggling to find confidence. I need to find the light at the end of the tunnel again."

Fifteen months later, the Italian has accumulated nine race wins this season. Commenting on his remarkable year, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff said, "The many people that said last year after nine races without points, he shouldn't be in a Mercedes. People in other teams that said, he shouldn't even be in Formula 1, the tears in Spa, in parc ferme. And all of that now is extremely satisfying to see what he's able to deliver, how he's working with the team, with Bono [Antonelli's engineer Peter Bonnington] and yielding the results. But it wasn't an easy road. So, I'm happy that, 99.9 per cent, he still needs to finish the race in Mexico. So, it's either going to be a big tequila party or if it's not a tequila party, then it's going to be Caipirinha the weekend afterwards."

During a recent interview with The Telegraph, Antonelli noted that winning the Italian Grand Prix in Monza with his family present ranked as a top highlight. He remarked, "My most special win. It changed everything. My mum, unfortunately, had to go back home to San Marino with my sister because she had school the next morning."

Despite his victories, the young driver avoids heavy partying. He explained, "Definitely when you go out, especially in the summer, you have to think twice before you do something. Because I always have someone pointing a camera at me. But you know, it's part of the game. You just have to be smart with how you behave in public. Still, I'm not someone that anyway at night goes all-out crazy because it's not really in me." He often serves as the designated driver for friends, noting that during summer holidays he drank only water and still enjoyed himself.

Away from the track, Antonelli maintains a strong focus on racing hobbies. He races motorised 1:8 scale radio-controlled cars, explaining, "I've recently taken up driving radio-controlled cars - the 1:8 scale motorised ones: they're brilliant and very challenging. I also see it as a form of mental training because it helps me stay focused and not get distracted for a moment." He also plays padel, enjoys water sports, bowling, and going to the cinema to unwind during busy periods.