F1 Title Race Heats Up as Antonelli Eyes Championship at Mexico City Grand Prix
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli needs a strong performance in Mexico City to secure the World Drivers Championship, with George Russell and Lewis Hamilton also in contention.
The Formula 1 World Drivers Championship could see a new titleholder crowned today at the Mexico City Grand Prix, with Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli on the cusp of victory. Antonelli currently trails the competition by only two points and needs to finish ninth or higher to clinch the championship, irrespective of the results for second-place driver George Russell and third-place driver Lewis Hamilton.
Should Antonelli finish outside the top 10, he will still secure the championship as long as neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race. The starting grid sees Lewis Hamilton in pole position for Ferrari, followed by George Russell of Mercedes in second. Antonelli will start in fourth, his teammate Russell in third, and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc in fifth.
This race also marks a notable shift in the Haas team lineup. Esteban Ocon, who was slated to depart the team at the end of the season, has been replaced by Ryo Hirakawa for the Mexico City Grand Prix. Ocon stated on Instagram that "differences in viewpoints" led to discussions, but denied any physical altercation with Haas team principal Ayao Komatsu.
The Mexico City Grand Prix is scheduled to begin on Sunday, November 1, at 3 p.m. ET. In the United States, the race will be streamed exclusively on Apple TV. New subscribers can take advantage of a seven-day free trial. The race will be held at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City.