Kimi Antonelli Chases Formula 1 History in Austin
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli can clinch the Formula 1 world championship at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, sport.orf.at reported. The 20-year-old Italian enters the weekend leading the drivers’ standings with 340 points.
The Championship Scenarios in Texas
Antonelli holds a 111-point lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell, who sits second with 238 points. Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton is third in the standings with 229 points. To secure the title at the Circuit of the Americas, Antonelli must win the race while Russell finishes no higher than ninth and Hamilton no higher than fifth. If he seals the championship this weekend, the driver from Bologna will surpass Sebastian Vettel as the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history. Vettel was 23 years old when he won his first title with Red Bull in 2010.
Hand-Washing the Mercedes GT63 Before Travel
Before flying to Texas, Antonelli maintained a strict personal ritual by thoroughly hand-washing his private Mercedes GT63, as ESPN reported. The driver stated that he refuses to travel to a Grand Prix until the car is spotless. I take my time, because it must be done well. It must be thoroughly cleaned,
Antonelli explained. It must be well dried, because if you don’t dry it well and there is still water on it, then it looks funny. It looks dirty. So it must be done well, also inside.
The vehicle model sits in his garage as the same car used as the Formula 1 safety car.
NBA Visit With the San Antonio Spurs
To unwind ahead of the race weekend near the state capital, Antonelli visited the San Antonio Spurs. The Italian driver spent time with the NBA franchise and French player Victor Wembanyama. Racing is always in my thoughts. I try, above all, not to think too much about my current situation, because I feel if I were to think too much about the championship and so on, I would probably also get nervous,
Antonelli said regarding his mental approach to the title fight.
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