I could barely see the track on the final lap, admits newly crowned world champion Antonelli
X/Mercedes
It will take time for the scale of his incredible achievement to sink in for Kimi Antonelli. That does not mean, however, that his first championship title has not moved him. Antonelli was overcome with emotion several times, starting in the cockpit in the closing stages of the Grand Prix.
If we were to list all of Kimi Antonelli’s records featuring the word “youngest”, we would fill at least six sheets of paper. In less than two years, the Bologna-born driver has achieved something incredible.
He could not have celebrated his championship title in better company. He was joined on the podium by the two best drivers of the current generation, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen, who lifted him into their arms.
“I will definitely frame the picture and put it in my house because it’s just an incredible moment,” said Kimi Antonelli. “And as well, to see so much respect from two incredible drivers who have made history in the sport, it’s truly special. It is a moment that will live [in my mind] and will always be remembered. I will definitely frame the picture and put it on the wall of my house, so I can see it very well whenever I go in.”
For many fans, Antonelli’s coronation was little more than a formality. George Russell and Lewis Hamilton still had a mathematical chance of the title, but it was vanishingly small. Antonelli was well aware of that, yet thoughts of the drivers’ championship still weighed on him.
“At Austin, I was much more aggressive, much more present in the moment, while in qualifying here in Mexico I was a bit more tense in a way. And also, I wasn’t as intense in the way I was driving,” admitted the newly crowned champion. “It definitely hasn’t been easy on that side. But now finally we clinched it, and now we can enjoy the rest of the season.”
His nerves were fully on display on Sunday. “At the start I was very cautious and I gave a lot of room. I was probably playing it very much on the safe side. But then I saw that I had the pace, especially during that first stint. I knew we would be in the fight because the pace was very good on used tyres. But then, obviously, with the red flag, it kind of all went back to zero.”
It dawned on Antonelli that he did not have to hold back in battle. He overtook Charles Leclerc at Turn 1, leaving the Ferrari driver little room. “In that moment I was like, ‘You know what? I’m just going to take more risks.’ I had the opportunity to gain a few places and that move on Charles was crucial to get on the podium.”
“Then I tried to stay close until the end, and that last stint was very fun. I think the three of us were within two seconds and we were all pushing. It was just difficult to overtake, but it was high intensity and it was fun,” Formula 1’s new star continued.
Antonelli crossed the finish line four seconds behind Max Verstappen. “On the last lap, I just backed off because I just couldn’t see the track anymore. I was getting emotional, and I said, “I’m just going to back off because otherwise I’ll crash here!” It was just good to bring it home.”
I was already crying. I couldn’t see clearly ahead. I could see two Ferraris somehow with the tears, so it was very special. A lot of memories went through my mind in that moment, all the memories since karting all the way to here. It was a very special final lap, and definitely, when I crossed the line, I let it all out because I was just achieving one of my biggest dreams,” Antonelli said.
The Silver Arrows driver will receive the championship trophy on 11 December in Shanghai. Only then will he officially become world champion.