By: For drivers, there is only one thing that matters more than winning the world championship: securing the title at the end of a great performance. Winning while showing everyone that you are the best. In that respect, the Austin Grand Prix would have been the perfect place to crown 20-year-old Italian Andrea Kimi Antonelli. He dominated the event from the first lap to the last, without showing any sign of weakness.
Hints of disappointment from Antonelli after the race. The possibility
That is probably why we saw a slightly disappointed Kimi after the race, when he was asked about his title chances ahead of the next event in Mexico. There, he simply needs to score at least two points to be certain of the title, and he could even be crowned champion with a retirement if neither Russell nor Hamilton manages to win the race.
For Kimi, it is practically almost done, and perhaps what bothers him most is the high probability that he could win the world championship without standing out in performance terms. A scenario that will probably come to pass, barring a genuine twist.
Antonelli is not the favourite in Mexico
The round in Mexico City will put the power unit under severe strain, further highlighting the problems and difficulties experienced by the teams in Austria. On that occasion, Verstappen, despite having a car still not on Mercedes' level, managed to cause the three-pointed star pairing plenty of problems. The race was won by Russell by 1.6s from Max and 1.9s from Antonelli.
Spielberg's altitude of 660 metres above sea level had already brought out the qualities of the Red Bull ICE on that occasion. Those strengths could be even more pronounced in Mexico, given that the track sits at 2,250 metres above sea level. The air will be far thinner.
Kimi's expression after the podium made clear how much the Italian wanted to be crowned champion at the end of an almost perfect race. The uncertainty over whether he can achieve that in Mexico did not allow him to fully enjoy the delights of his United States victory. It gave us the impression that the event soon to be held at the circuit named in memory of the Rodriguez brothers is, for him, the worst possible place to win the title.
Tequila or mojito? Perhaps he would have preferred a whisky
After the race, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff assessed Antonelli's title prospects, stating that if the victory comes in Mexico, the celebrations will involve tequila, while if it comes in Brazil, a fine mojito will be the choice.
The title is now virtually in the bag and, as we have understood, Mercedes' main concerns are focused on preparations for the party. Whatever happens, it will be an alcohol-fuelled celebration, but perhaps, given what has been said about the possible outcome of the Mexican Grand Prix, Antonelli would have much preferred to celebrate the title with a good Texas whisky, which is said to be made with a particular variety of blue corn. Blue would also have been a fitting colour to accompany the Italian's first title.
Cover and in-article photos by Luca Martini / WHYOUT Images
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