Kimi Antonelli’s World Championship title chances: Clear statement from Dr Helmut Marko

Formula 1 is heading for what could be a historic weekend: at the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, the Italian Kimi Antonelli could be crowned this year’s – and thus the youngest ever – world champion, with five rounds of the championship still to go before the official end of the season.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver currently holds a 102-point lead over his British team-mate George Russell. Dr Helmut Marko, the former Red Bull motorsport adviser and talent scout, has also been closely following Antonelli’s progress. The 83-year-old from Graz is very impressed by the progress made by the driver from Bologna.

“Last year, when he joined the European races, Antonelli made a lot of mistakes and wasn’t very consistent. The surprise this year is that he’s not just fast – he’s always been that – but that he also gets the most out of his car even when it’s not enough for a win. Then he drives to secure a placing,” Dr Marko noted in an interview with ORF.

Luck is also on Kimi Antonelli’s side

The Austrian goes on to say: “Antonelli is showing a maturity and a pace that we would actually have expected from his team-mate Russell, and he’s completely outshining him. It’s refreshing to see how he makes the car fly and the sheer joy with which he savours his victories.”

Marko also knows: “You always need a bit of luck, and Antonelli’s had a bit more of that with engine failures, safety cars and the like. But he’s mentally outclassed Russell, and at his age that’s an incredible achievement.”

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The industry insider emphasises: “But regardless of whether these races go ahead or not: Antonelli is a worthy world champion. Whether he becomes one now or later doesn’t change the fact that a super-talent is set to claim world championship honours straight away.”