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Kimi Antonelli’s F1 World Title Odds Analyzed Before Miami GP

Yahoo Sports

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli is surpassing all expectations in 2026 and has the lead in the Drivers' Championship.

Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli was expected to finish high in the Drivers’ Championship standings given the team’s strength, though he was largely discounted as a title threat. For a teenager stepping into F1, Antonelli shone for the part in 2025, though he ended up quite far off George Russell’s pace in aggregate. With such a pronounced gap in speed, the Mercedes driver was looking to just make another step forward rather than outright challenge Russell’s status as the fastest driver on the team.

However, after a handful of races into the season, Antonelli has won back-to-back races and stands as the title leader, looking quite up for the challenge against Russell. Nov 21, 2025; Las Vegas, NV, USA; Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli (12) is introduced before the Las Vegas Grand Prix at Las Vegas Strip Circuit. Mandatory Credit: Gary A.

Vasquez-Imagn Images His last win out in Japan did come with a bit of safety-car luck, but on the whole, Antonelli’s results have been a showcase of his true pace, according to Sky Sports analyst Karun Chandhok. “He was the fastest throughout practice. The only mistake he made was a terrible start.

He had a slice of luck with the safety car that allowed him to recover it, but his pace all weekend was outstanding,” Chandhok said on Sky Sports. “He had two or three tenths on George all the way through. So based on that form, he is absolutely in a position to win the championship.