Kimi Antonelli admits ‘it’s not over until it’s over’ in ‘intense’ title battle

Antonelli Maintains Championship Discipline Amid Growing Title Talk

Kimi Antonelli has conceded that while the Drivers’ Championship occupies his thoughts, he remains steadfast in his refusal to look beyond the immediate challenge of each race weekend. The 20-year-old Italian, who has dominated the current campaign with eight Grand Prix victories and a further four podium finishes, has constructed a commanding 81-point lead over his Mercedes teammate George Russell. That margin was underscored in Madrid, where Antonelli’s victory prompted Russell to declare he is not in the fight for the drivers’ title. Yet the championship leader is deliberately avoiding any sense of inevitability.

One Race at a Time: The Tennis Analogy

Speaking ahead of the upcoming Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Antonelli articulated a philosophy centered on process over outcome. It’s not over until it’s over,” he said. “Until you cross that finish line, it’s not over. It’s like tennis, one point at a time, here one race at a time. He elaborated that despite the natural temptation to calculate permutations as the season progresses, his analysis consistently returns to the same imperative: maintain current performance levels. Keep giving your best and keep trying to raise that bar, keep delivering results and see where we end up at the end of the year. As we’re getting closer, I’ve thought about the championship and stuff, but by thinking about it I’ve always come to the final conclusion that I need to keep driving like I am and delivering the results. The Mercedes driver added that while an early title conclusion would be welcome, he anticipates a demanding conclusion to the campaign. The sooner it’s over, the better it is. Still a long way and it’s not going to be easy. It’s going to be intense but I’m ready to give my best and to keep having fun.

Baku Challenge: Managing Expectations Amid Converging Competition

The Azerbaijan Grand Prix at the Baku City Circuit presents Antonelli with an opportunity to add to his victory tally, though he is keen to temper optimism. Last season, he narrowly missed a podium finish at the venue, finishing behind Carlos Sainz of Williams. However, the competitive landscape has shifted significantly. Antonelli acknowledged that rival teams McLaren and Red Bull have joined Ferrari in closing the performance gap to the Silver Arrows, creating a scenario where victory is no longer assured.

Zero Margin for Error on Baku’s Streets

Antonelli offered a candid assessment of the weekend ahead, naming specific rivals who could challenge Mercedes’ supremacy. I think it could be a good track for us but if McLaren have the upperhand, or Red Bull with Max [Verstappen] or even with Isack [Hadjar], then it might be one of those weekends where you have to be satisfied with maybe a podium or a P4. Of course the goal is always to win but we’ll see. He emphasized the unforgiving nature of the street circuit, where the margin for error is virtually non-existent. You have no margin for mistakes, or very little, and it’s going to be important to build up throughout the weekend, and when it matters to squeeze everything out of it. Always keep that tiny margin in case something happens. It is a cool track, very challenging. Hopefully we’re going to be fast.

Why This Matters

Antonelli’s 81-point lead represents a substantial buffer, but Formula 1 history is replete with championships lost through complacency or mechanical misfortune in the closing rounds. The convergence of McLaren, Red Bull—fielding both reigning champion Max Verstappen and rising talent Isack Hadjar—and Ferrari creates a multi-front threat that demands Mercedes extract maximum performance from every session. Baku’s high-speed straights and tight castle section historically produce chaotic races with frequent safety car periods, amplifying the importance of the “tiny margin” Antonelli referenced. For Mercedes, the remainder of the season serves as both a coronation opportunity for their rookie phenom and a critical development phase for 2025 car concepts under new technical regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

How large is Kimi Antonelli’s championship lead over George Russell?

Antonelli leads his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 81 points in the Drivers’ Championship standings.

What did George Russell say after the Madrid Grand Prix?

Following Antonelli’s victory in Madrid, Russell stated he is not in the fight for the drivers’ title, effectively conceding the championship to his teammate.

Which teams does Antonelli identify as the primary threats at the Azerbaijan Grand Prix?

Antonelli specifically named McLaren and Red Bull—highlighting both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar—as teams that have closed the gap to Mercedes and could hold the upper hand at Baku, alongside Ferrari.