Kimi Antonelli is preparing to reserve his place in the records of the Formula 1 World Championship as the youngest world champion and the first Italian to win the first category title since 1953, amid a festive atmosphere at the Mexican Grand Prix this weekend, unless the Mercedes driver is unlucky.
Antonelli needs; The driver's leader (365 points), finished the race in ninth place or better to be crowned with the world title at the age of 20 years and 68 days, breaking the previous record held by German Sebastian Vettel when he won his first title with Red Bull at the Yas Marina Circuit in Abu Dhabi on November 14, 2010, at the age of 23 years and 134 days.
Antonelli will also write his name in the records of the “First Class” as the first Italian to have his neck crowned with a laurel since Alberto Ascari, who won with Ferrari in 1953, after 73 lean years during which Italy imposed itself as one of the pawns of “Formula 1.”
After Antonelli won the “United States Grand Prix” last Sunday, his direct pursuers, his British colleague George Russell, and the latter’s compatriot, Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton, are left behind. Seven-time champion of the year, with a lead of 123 and 124 points respectively, they can only prevent what seems inevitable by winning and hoping that Antonelli finishes in 10th place or worse.
But such an outcome seems very unlikely.
Antonelli won 9 races from 18 rounds held this year. In the last 11 Grand Prix, he climbed to the podium 9 times, and also ranked 5th in “Azerbaijan”, and left empty-handed from the British “Silverstone” circuit by finishing 15th, which is only the second time he has not entered the points ranking table this season after withdrawing from the “Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix” due to an electrical problem.
The young Italian began his season by arriving second at the Albert Park circuit in Australia, before achieving a series of 5 victories that pushed him to the top of the standings (“China”, “Japan”, “Miami”, “Canada”, and “Monaco”).
He is the consistency of a champion...a driver who has a clear vision for his work and composure despite his young age. Outside the car, he looks like a mature young boy with a sense of humor. But when he puts on the helmet and sits behind the wheel, he proves that he has the talent and mentality to win and, in most circumstances, maintain his focus under pressure.
“I'm going to approach it (winning the title) with the same mentality,” Antonelli said in Texas. I'm trying to have as much fun as possible, but trying to fight for another win. I better finish on a high note; This is my goal.”
Mercedes' Austrian director Toto Wolff, who brought in Antonelli last season after Hamilton left for Scuderia Ferrari, expects his driver to be crowned in Mexico this weekend, and if he fails to do so, the Brazilian Interlagos Circuit will be a new date for the awaited dedication.
“We'll have celebrations,” Wolf said. Or if not, the party will be the following weekend.”
At a time when the Mercedes team, which leads the constructors’ standings with 607 points, is preparing to clinch the title at the “Rodriguez Brothers Circuit” at a high altitude above sea level, the feelings of Ferrari’s loyal “Tifosi” fans may be mixed between laughter and crying.
The “Prancing Horse” team had the opportunity to include Antonelli in its ranks when he was at the beginning of his career in the world of speed, but he rejected the idea at the time, considering that the Italian was still very young.
Former Ferrari director Luca di Montezemolo told the Spanish newspaper AS last month: “I am a Ferrari man and I am happy to see what Antonelli is doing.”
He added: “But what I regret is that (Ferrari) had the opportunity to include him and did not do so. A great opportunity was wasted, but it was better for him, because for a young Italian at this age to be driving (Ferrari), that would have put terrible pressure on him.”
Antonelli is well aware that winning the race on Sunday is not among his priorities; He must reach the top 9 positions, while Dutchman Max Verstappen, the four-time world champion, is waiting for the opportunity to benefit from the strong performance shown by his Red Bull team in recent races.
“Mad Max” won five times in Mexico, and he also climbed to the highest threshold on the podium in the “Bahrain Grand Prix” in Malaysia and then Singapore, before finishing third in last Sunday’s race in Austin.
British McLaren driver Lando Norris, the current world champion, also stands out, who achieved the fastest time during qualifying trials in Mexico last year, without leaving out Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc from Monaco and his teammate Hamilton.
On the other hand, the Mexican fans are celebrating the owner of the Cadillac, Sergio Perez (36 years old), who is preparing to run his “300th” race in his career, following his announcement on Wednesday to extend his contract with the American car park until 2029.
South Africa announced today (Thursday) that the city of Durban, located on the east coast, has been chosen as the preferred candidate to host the first Olympic Games on the African continent.
South Africa is seeking to win the right to host the Summer Olympics and Paralympics in 2036 or 2040, noting that the International Olympic Committee will choose the host city for the 2036 Games in mid-2029.
The announcement of the selection of Durban, the third largest city in South Africa, was made by Lwandile Simelane, Acting President of the South African Olympic Committee.
Simelane explained that Durban will be the main candidate city within the South African bid, noting that the bid may take on a “multi-city” nature, with some competitions being held in other cities.
Johannesburg, the country's economic center, and the city of Cape Town were among the options presented as candidates for hosting.
Durban was mooted as a potential Olympic host city more than a decade ago, following South Africa's hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the first of its kind on the continent, but no formal bid had materialized at the time, primarily due to cost concerns.
Officials said today (Thursday) that they cannot currently provide any estimates about the cost that South Africa may bear in organizing the Olympic Games if its bid is successful.
South Africa is one of 7 countries competing to host the 2036 Games, in addition to India, Qatar, South Korea, Germany, Hungary, and Turkey.
The International Olympic Committee has set October 31 as a deadline for national Olympic committees to officially announce their desire to submit nomination files to host the 2036 Games.
