Antonelli can secure the title in Mexico, but Ferrari is dictating the pace for now
Kimi Antonelli arrived in Mexico with a great opportunity: two points are enough for him to mathematically confirm the title. However, Friday belonged to Charles Leclerc and Ferrari.
Okretaji · 31 October 2026 · Editorial report
Kimi Antonelli could become the youngest Formula 1 world champion as early as this weekend. Ahead of the Mexican GP, he leads the championship and needs only two more points for mathematical confirmation of the title, which means finishing in the top nine in Sunday's race. His teammate George Russell is the only one who can still keep him in the fight for the title.
That is precisely why Friday in Mexico was not just another practice session. Antonelli returned to the car after a viral illness that caused him to miss some media duties. In the first practice he finished second, and in the second fourth.
Leclerc fastest in both sessions
Charles Leclerc set the fastest time in both FP1 and FP2. In the second session, he posted a lap of 1:17.827, 0.103 seconds ahead of Lando Norris. George Russell was third, and Antonelli fourth, 0.217 seconds behind Leclerc.
| FP2 | Driver | Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Charles Leclerc | 1:17.827 |
| 2. | Lando Norris | +0,103 s |
| 3. | George Russell | +0,106 s |
| 4. | Kimi Antonelli | +0,217 s |
Ferrari, however, also had a problem: Lewis Hamilton had to stop his car due to a loss of power. Verstappen and Lawson had a collision that damaged the Red Bull, so Friday did not pass without incidents either.
What does Antonelli need on Sunday?
The math is simple: two points are enough for the title if the championship rivals' results do not change outside the already familiar points calculation. This means Antonelli does not have to win; finishing in the top nine would secure him at least two points. However, qualifying is important because overtaking in Mexico is possible, but traffic and tyre management can complicate the race.
Sources
- Formula 1 – Mexican GP schedule and results
- FIA – second practice report
- Reuters – Leclerc fastest, Antonelli returns after illness
The photograph is from the archives and shows Antonelli at the 2026 Bahrain GP, not at today's practice in Mexico. CC BY-SA 4.0 license.