Photo via BBC Sport

On 'tense' Antonelli's big weekend, this was Hamilton's day

The Mexico City Grand Prix delivered a dramatic weekend for Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli, whose path to history hung in the balance as Lewis Hamilton stole the spotlight with a dominant qualifying performance. The 20-year-old Italian, already on the verge of becoming the youngest Formula 1 champion ever, struggled in qualifying, finishing fifth but dropping to second row after a penalty for Max Verstappen.

His nerves were palpable, with Antonelli admitting the pressure had affected his confidence, though he remains mathematically within striking distance—needing only ninth or tenth place to secure the title regardless of Hamilton’s or George Russell’s result on Sunday. Meanwhile, Hamilton, racing for Ferrari, claimed his first pole position in over three years and his 105th career pole, edging out Russell by a razor-thin 0.009 seconds.

The seven-time champion downplayed the championship implications, focusing instead on Ferrari’s fight for second in the constructors’ standings, while Russell echoed the inevitability of Antonelli’s triumph, calling it ‘most likely’ to be decided this weekend.

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