{"id":1866526,"date":"2026-04-04T11:52:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-04T08:52:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866526"},"modified":"2026-04-04T11:52:00","modified_gmt":"2026-04-04T08:52:00","slug":"kimi-antonelli-not-worrying-about-championship-after-taking-f1-title-lead-but-should-he","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=1866526","title":{"rendered":"Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;]<\/p>\n<article>\n<header id=\"lbs-article\" class=\"article header article-header section layout layout--article-header\">\n<div class=\"col headline\">\n<div>\n<h1>Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he?<\/h1>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>As the Formula 1 championship leader, should the title be on Kimi Antonelli&#8217;s radar?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"section two-column\">\n<div class=\"col article-info\">\n<div>\n<address> Sam Hall <\/address>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div><time datetime=\"2026-04-04T12:52:00+01:00\">04 Apr 2026<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col article-actions\">\n<div class=\"block block-better-social-sharing-buttons block-social-sharing-buttons-block\">\n<div class=\"social-sharing-buttons\"><span class=\"ssb-title\"> Share<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div id=\"lbs-content\" class=\"content wide-two-column-sticky section layout layout--wide-two-column-sticky\">\n<div class=\"col first-column\">\n<div>\n<div>\n<figure> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><figcaption>\n<div>Antonelli became the first Italian since Fisichella in 2006 to win a Grand Prix<\/div>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-preferred-source\">\n<div class=\"preferred-source-cta\">  Add as a preferred source <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 drivers\u2019 championship following his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, but was quick to dismiss talk of a title charge.<\/p>\n<p>In sport, the saying goes that you are only ever as good as your last performance, and in that regard, 19-year-old Antonelli\u2019s stock could not be any higher. Having become the youngest pole sitter in China, he followed this up by becoming only the second youngest grand prix winner \u2013 behind only Max Verstappen in this regard.<\/p>\n<p>This record-breaking streak continued in Japan, as he scored his second success \u2013 the first Italian to achieve this since Alberto Ascari in 1953 &#8211;\u00a0 and became the youngest championship leader.<\/p>\n<p>Asked how his success would have been received in Italy, Antonelli said: \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think we\u2019ll find out pretty soon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut yeah, I\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship. Of course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While Antonelli\u2019s typically modest answer follows a trend of taking things one race at a time, it is difficult to imagine him featuring in the title battle, especially given the Mercedes is the class of the field at the moment, with Russell taking the first win of the season in Australia.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-51aa9ed698f2350cbf35a749b34d05205a3e60fdc44f9e449fd992a1b2ef1503\">  Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate   Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Highlighting Mercedes\u2019 dominance, the team leads the constructors\u2019 championship by 45 points from Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes has previous experience of a friendly driver pairing turning sour when the title battle becomes a strictly internal affair, this circumstance arising in 2014 between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.<\/p>\n<p>While things appear calm in the camp right now, Antonelli was asked if he is ready for a rivalry with his team-mate.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d6291a6b495df427feb362a8b7a0aec9cecbf575d518fbf3a50c52b8406617b6\">  Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift   Why Mercedes is wary of F1 rivals despite unbeaten start to 2026 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cNo, I\u2019m not worrying about that, to be fair,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just going to focus on myself, on what I need to do, trying to get everything right in terms of procedure, starts, driving.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know how strong George is and for sure it\u2019s going to be very hard. Plus, I think Ferrari and McLaren, they will get closer, so it\u2019s going to be important to stay on top of the game, as I said before, keep raising the bar. But I\u2019m not focusing on or worrying about this at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Without question, Antonelli is saying all of the right things at the moment and tempering expectations is certainly the way to go. But there is only so long that this will last, and the longer that Mercedes is able to hold its advantage, the more these words will wear thin.<\/p>\n<p>The Miami Grand Prix in May will be a key moment in the battle, with the five week break leading up to the event allowing teams to complete significant development work, something that could potentially shake up or close the order.<\/p>\n<p>Should Mercedes still have a margin to the chasing pack at that event, it could prove the moment for Antonelli to embrace his position as a championship challenger.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<h2>In this article<\/h2>\n<div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">F1<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">2026<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Andrea Kimi Antonelli<\/div>\n<div class=\"field_keywords\">Mercedes<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"block block-next-prev\">\n<div class=\"next-prev-pager contextual-region\">\n<div class=\"items\">\n<div class=\"item prev\">\n<h3>  Previous<\/h3>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\"> Why Oscar Piastri believes Mercedes is beatable in F1 2026<\/div>\n<source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=1920&amp;format=webp 1920w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=1800&amp;format=webp 1800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;format=webp 1600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=1500&amp;format=webp 1500w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=1200&amp;format=webp 1200w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=900&amp;format=webp 900w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=800&amp;format=webp 800w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=600&amp;format=webp 600w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-04\/xpb_1404161_hires.jpg?width=400&amp;format=webp 400w\" sizes=\"(min-width:1024px) 710px, (min-width:768px) 62vw, 97vw\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-author-block block block-configurable-views-block\">\n<div class=\"author-view grid-view js-view-dom-id-96093832ce5b44348877474ce5310f59d3360dffb5ab9983a851a98f65cfd86f\">\n<div class=\"card user default\">\n<div class=\"image\"> <source srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=270&amp;format=webp 270w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=180&amp;format=webp 180w,https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/pictures\/whatsapp-image-2026-03-05-at-12.30.04.jpeg?height=90&amp;format=webp 90w\" sizes=\"100px\" type=\"image\/webp\" \/><\/div>\n<div class=\"info\">\n<div class=\"header\">\n<div class=\"text\">\n<div class=\"name\">Sam Hall<\/div>\n<div class=\"role\">F1 Writer<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"desc\">\n<p>Sam joined Crash.net in February 2026 with extensive experience in motorsport media, having covered numerous championships around the world.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"views-element-container block block-views-blockrelated-content-related-content-block\">\n<h3>More News<\/h3>\n<div class=\"grid-view grid-2 js-view-dom-id-b759c4614d307391d464fd73e529e82e44e7c25dd4c05812df7d90283449f100\">\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Leclerc identifies what Ferrari need to do to catch Mercedes<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774960863\"> 31\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404671_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Leclerc says Ferrari's &quot;main weakness&quot; is its power unit \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  Feature <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>How likely is Max Verstappen quitting F1 and what are his options? <\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774951059\"> 31\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1403785_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Verstappen faces a big decision over his F1 future\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Costly George Russell \u201cbug\u201d exposes true complexity of new F1 engines<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774883250\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404714_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Russell had to settle with fourth in Japan\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Why Wolff doubts sparring partner Horner will return to F1<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774879413\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/si202406280569.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Wolff and Horner endured a heated F1 rivalry \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Wolff pokes fun at botched start that left Antonelli \u201cvery mad\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774875049\"> 30\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404668_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"Antonelli was critical of his race start in Japan \" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"card card_default\">\n<div class=\"content\">\n<div class=\"links\">\n<div class=\"sections\"> F1  News <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Mercedes blames \u201cbug\u201d on George Russell missing Japan F1 podium<\/p>\n<div class=\"card-info\">\n<div class=\"time\" data-timestamp=\"1774771596\"> 29\/03\/26<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1404423_hires.jpg?aspect_ratio=1:1\" alt=\"George Russell, Mercedes, Japanese GP\" loading=\"lazy\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"col second-column\">\n<div class=\"sticky\">\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"summary body\">\n<p>As the Formula 1 championship leader, should the title be on Kimi Antonelli&#8217;s radar?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 drivers\u2019 championship following his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, but was quick to dismiss talk of a title charge.<\/p>\n<p>In sport, the saying goes that you are only ever as good as your last performance, and in that regard, 19-year-old Antonelli\u2019s stock could not be any higher. Having become the youngest pole sitter in China, he followed this up by becoming only the second youngest grand prix winner \u2013 behind only Max Verstappen in this regard.<\/p>\n<p>This record-breaking streak continued in Japan, as he scored his second success \u2013 the first Italian to achieve this since Alberto Ascari in 1953 &#8211;\u00a0 and became the youngest championship leader.<\/p>\n<p>Asked how his success would have been received in Italy, Antonelli said: \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think we\u2019ll find out pretty soon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut yeah, I\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship. Of course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While Antonelli\u2019s typically modest answer follows a trend of taking things one race at a time, it is difficult to imagine him featuring in the title battle, especially given the Mercedes is the class of the field at the moment, with Russell taking the first win of the season in Australia.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-51aa9ed698f2350cbf35a749b34d05205a3e60fdc44f9e449fd992a1b2ef1503\">  Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate   Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Highlighting Mercedes\u2019 dominance, the team leads the constructors\u2019 championship by 45 points from Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes has previous experience of a friendly driver pairing turning sour when the title battle becomes a strictly internal affair, this circumstance arising in 2014 between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.<\/p>\n<p>While things appear calm in the camp right now, Antonelli was asked if he is ready for a rivalry with his team-mate.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d6291a6b495df427feb362a8b7a0aec9cecbf575d518fbf3a50c52b8406617b6\">  Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift   Why Mercedes is wary of F1 rivals despite unbeaten start to 2026 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cNo, I\u2019m not worrying about that, to be fair,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just going to focus on myself, on what I need to do, trying to get everything right in terms of procedure, starts, driving.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know how strong George is and for sure it\u2019s going to be very hard. Plus, I think Ferrari and McLaren, they will get closer, so it\u2019s going to be important to stay on top of the game, as I said before, keep raising the bar. But I\u2019m not focusing on or worrying about this at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Without question, Antonelli is saying all of the right things at the moment and tempering expectations is certainly the way to go. But there is only so long that this will last, and the longer that Mercedes is able to hold its advantage, the more these words will wear thin.<\/p>\n<p>The Miami Grand Prix in May will be a key moment in the battle, with the five week break leading up to the event allowing teams to complete significant development work, something that could potentially shake up or close the order.<\/p>\n<p>Should Mercedes still have a margin to the chasing pack at that event, it could prove the moment for Antonelli to embrace his position as a championship challenger.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"body\">\n<p>Kimi Antonelli became the youngest driver ever to lead the Formula 1 drivers\u2019 championship following his victory at the Japanese Grand Prix, but was quick to dismiss talk of a title charge.<\/p>\n<p>In sport, the saying goes that you are only ever as good as your last performance, and in that regard, 19-year-old Antonelli\u2019s stock could not be any higher. Having become the youngest pole sitter in China, he followed this up by becoming only the second youngest grand prix winner \u2013 behind only Max Verstappen in this regard.<\/p>\n<p>This record-breaking streak continued in Japan, as he scored his second success \u2013 the first Italian to achieve this since Alberto Ascari in 1953 &#8211;\u00a0 and became the youngest championship leader.<\/p>\n<p>Asked how his success would have been received in Italy, Antonelli said: \u201cI don\u2019t know. I think we\u2019ll find out pretty soon.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut yeah, I\u2019m not thinking too much about the championship. Of course it\u2019s great, but it\u2019s still a long way to go and need to keep raising the bar because, you know, George is very quick and for sure he\u2019s going to be back at his usual level, and also competitors eventually they will get closer.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cI think we need to keep our head down and keep raising the bar.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>While Antonelli\u2019s typically modest answer follows a trend of taking things one race at a time, it is difficult to imagine him featuring in the title battle, especially given the Mercedes is the class of the field at the moment, with Russell taking the first win of the season in Australia.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-51aa9ed698f2350cbf35a749b34d05205a3e60fdc44f9e449fd992a1b2ef1503\">  Toto Wolff hails &#8216;unpredictable&#8217; Kimi Antonelli F1 win rate   Mercedes chief thought Kimi Antonelli was a \u2018lost child\u2019 when they first met <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>Highlighting Mercedes\u2019 dominance, the team leads the constructors\u2019 championship by 45 points from Ferrari.<\/p>\n<p>Mercedes has previous experience of a friendly driver pairing turning sour when the title battle becomes a strictly internal affair, this circumstance arising in 2014 between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg.<\/p>\n<p>While things appear calm in the camp right now, Antonelli was asked if he is ready for a rivalry with his team-mate.<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"ins-related_content dsp-related_content_in_article_2\">\n<h2>Read More<\/h2>\n<div class=\"related-content-in-body js-view-dom-id-d6291a6b495df427feb362a8b7a0aec9cecbf575d518fbf3a50c52b8406617b6\">  Why George Russell isn&#8217;t worried about early F1 title battle momentum shift   Why Mercedes is wary of F1 rivals despite unbeaten start to 2026 <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<p>\u201cNo, I\u2019m not worrying about that, to be fair,\u201d he said. \u201cI\u2019m just going to focus on myself, on what I need to do, trying to get everything right in terms of procedure, starts, driving.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI know how strong George is and for sure it\u2019s going to be very hard. Plus, I think Ferrari and McLaren, they will get closer, so it\u2019s going to be important to stay on top of the game, as I said before, keep raising the bar. But I\u2019m not focusing on or worrying about this at the moment.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Without question, Antonelli is saying all of the right things at the moment and tempering expectations is certainly the way to go. But there is only so long that this will last, and the longer that Mercedes is able to hold its advantage, the more these words will wear thin.<\/p>\n<p>The Miami Grand Prix in May will be a key moment in the battle, with the five week break leading up to the event allowing teams to complete significant development work, something that could potentially shake up or close the order.<\/p>\n<p>Should Mercedes still have a margin to the chasing pack at that event, it could prove the moment for Antonelli to embrace his position as a championship challenger.\u00a0<\/p>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-block\">\n<div class=\"mpu-title\"><span>Article continues below<\/span><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<aside>\n<div class=\"block block-echobox\">\n<h2>Subscribe to our F1 Newsletter<\/h2>\n<div class=\"info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-info\" id=\"edit-info--2\">\n<p>Get the latest F1 news, exclusives, interviews and promotions from the paddock direct to your inbox<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"extra-info js-form-wrapper form-wrapper\" data-drupal-selector=\"edit-legal\" id=\"edit-legal--2\">\n<p>For more information see our Privacy Policy<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;http:\/\/crash.net\/f1\/news\/1092870\/1\/kimi-antonelli-not-worrying-about-championship-after-taking-f1-title-lead-should&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/cdn.crash.net\/2026-03\/xpb_1402413_hires.jpg?width=1600&amp;aspect_ratio=16:9&#8243;] Kimi Antonelli \u201cnot worrying\u201d about championship after taking F1 title lead, but should he? As the Formula 1 championship leader, should the title be on Kimi Antonelli&#8217;s radar? Sam Hall 04 Apr 2026 Share Antonelli became the first Italian since Fisichella in 2006 to win a Grand Prix Add as a preferred [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[47,226],"class_list":["post-1866526","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-politics","tag-crash-net","tag-crawlmanager"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866526","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1866526"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1866526\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1866526"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1866526"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1866526"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}