At 2,285 meters above sea level, in an electric atmosphere, Mexico could crown the youngest world champion in history. Kimi Antonelli touches the Holy Grail. But with five races to go before the end of the season, tensions are building up in the paddock and places remain expensive behind the Italian.
Finally the coronation time for Antonelli?
A ninth place. This is all that separates Kimi Antonelli from his first world title. Almost a formality in view of his domination. Nine victories in 18 Grands Prix, 365 points and 123 lengths ahead of George Russell. The gap is almost dizzying. At just 20 years old, the Italian could become the youngest world champion in history this Sunday, erasing Sebastian Vettel's record. Two small points are enough for him to be crowned, regardless of the results of his rivals.
Even a retirement could do the trick if Russell and Hamilton do not win. Suffice to say that the suspense is thin. Suffering from stomach problems this Thursday, Antonelli reappeared all smiles on Friday. A relaxation which had already surprised Toto Wolff in Austin, when his driver told him he simply wanted to enjoy the moment. His family even made the trip to attend the announced coronation. Seventy-three years after Alberto Ascari, Italy may finally have its successor. And why not a tenth victory to celebrate the title?
Leclerc, waking up without victory?
Two consecutive second places, but still only one victory this season. Charles Leclerc finally finds color. Second in Singapore then in Austin, the Monegasque is only nine points behind George Russell, runner-up to Kimi Antonelli in the championship. Enough to relaunch his ambitions. Especially since Ferrari knows the recipe in Mexico, where Carlos Sainz won in 2024 and Leclerc took pole position a year earlier.
But be careful… not to get carried away. Since its success at Silverstone at the beginning of July, the Scuderia is still chasing another victory. The aerodynamic developments made in Austin seem to be bearing fruit, without closing the gap with Mercedes.
Verstappen, still the king of Mexico?
It’s almost his garden. Five victories in Mexico, including three in a row between 2021 and 2023. Max Verstappen knows the recipe. And why not a sixth? After a sluggish start to the season, the Dutchman has found his bite again. Six consecutive podiums since his retirement in the Netherlands, including two victories in Malaysia and Singapore. A spectacular comeback which places him just six points behind George Russell, second in the championship.
Who would have believed it a few weeks ago? But let's make no mistake. With 236 points, Verstappen is still 129 lengths behind Kimi Antonelli. Suffice to say that a fifth world crown is no longer a realistic objective.
The Dutchman can nevertheless save the furniture by going for second place in the championship, just six points behind George Russell (242) and five behind Lewis Hamilton (241). Same observation among the constructors, where Red Bull, now out of the fight for the title, joined McLaren in third place with 355 points. A battle far from being anecdotal. We still need to avoid mistakes. This Friday, his clash with Liam Lawson cost him a place on the grid.
What if Austin had been Ocon’s last Grand Prix at Haas?
Nobody saw it coming. This Saturday, Haas announced the replacement of Esteban Ocon by its reserve driver Ryo Hirakawa for the remainder of the Mexican Grand Prix, without providing an explanation. A decision as sudden as it was unexpected, while the Frenchman had normally participated in free practice this Friday. Already assured of leaving the American team at the end of the season, the Norman sees his immediate future getting darker. With only seven points scored in 18 Grands Prix, compared to 23 for his teammate Oliver Bearman, Ocon has never managed to find his place at Haas.
The team, seventh in the constructor's championship with 30 points, is only seven points ahead of Audi. A gap that matters and which must now be defended with Hirakawa, 32, double world endurance champion and winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, who will compete in his first F1 Grand Prix.
A tense exchange between Ocon and his engineer Laura Müller on the subject of tires this Friday also attracted attention. There now remains a question for the Frenchman. Will he get back behind the wheel in Brazil in a week, or will his adventure with Haas end prematurely?
Perhaps the gesture too many for Hadjar?
It seems like you now have to jostle to get to your garage. This Friday, Isack Hadjar pushed away a supporter who was a little too insistent, who came to ask for a selfie. A gesture of annoyance filmed, widely relayed and punished with an official warning by the commissioners for “bad behavior”. The Frenchman, however, escaped a sporting penalty.
In its report, the FIA emphasizes that the individual had approached “aggressively”, encroaching on the driver’s personal space, without sufficient security measures being able to intervene. Hadjar certainly could have kept calm. But do supporters have all the rights? This agitation comes at a bad time for the 22-year-old Frenchman, eighth in the championship with 105 points and two podiums.
