{"id":942330,"date":"2026-10-27T04:40:09","date_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:40:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/942330\/"},"modified":"2026-10-27T04:40:09","modified_gmt":"2026-10-27T04:40:09","slug":"f1-2026-points-permutations-when-is-the-earliest-kimi-antonelli-could-win-the-world-championship","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/942330\/","title":{"rendered":"F1 2026 POINTS PERMUTATIONS: When is the earliest Kimi Antonelli could win the World Championship?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Kimi Antonelli has remained at the top of the drivers\u2019 standings since Round 3 of the campaign in Japan \u2013 and his hold on the P1 slot was strengthened following his victory at the United States Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">The Italian is now <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoiMTIzX3BvaW50c19jbGVhcl9saW5rX2NsaWNrZWQiLCJjbGlja1RleHQiOnRydWUsInBhdGgiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb3JtdWxhMS5jb20vZW4vcmVzdWx0cy8yMDI2L2RyaXZlcnMiLCJwYXRoVHlwZSI6ImludGVybmFsIn0=\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/results\/2026\/drivers\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">123 points clear<\/a> of closest challenger <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoiZ2VvcmdlX3J1c3NlbGxfbGlua19jbGlja2VkIiwiY2xpY2tUZXh0Ijp0cnVlLCJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm9ybXVsYTEuY29tL2VuL2RyaXZlcnMvZ2VvcmdlLXJ1c3NlbGwiLCJwYXRoVHlwZSI6ImludGVybmFsIn0=\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/george-russell\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">George Russell<\/a> following the 18th event of the season, while third-placed <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoibGV3aXNfaGFtaWx0b25fbGlua19jbGlja2VkIiwiY2xpY2tUZXh0Ijp0cnVlLCJwYXRoIjoiaHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZm9ybXVsYTEuY29tL2VuL2RyaXZlcnMvbGV3aXMtaGFtaWx0b24iLCJwYXRoVHlwZSI6ImludGVybmFsIn0=\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/lewis-hamilton\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Lewis Hamilton<\/a> is now 124 points adrift.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\"><a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoiYW50b25lbGxpX2xpbmtfY2xpY2tlZCIsImNsaWNrVGV4dCI6dHJ1ZSwicGF0aCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZvcm11bGExLmNvbS9lbi9kcml2ZXJzL2tpbWktYW50b25lbGxpIiwicGF0aFR5cGUiOiJpbnRlcm5hbCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/drivers\/kimi-antonelli\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Antonelli<\/a> has previously insisted that thinking about the title is <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoi4oCcZXhhY3RseV93aGF0X2lfZG9u4oCZdF93YW50X3RvX2Rv4oCdX2xpbmtfY2xpY2tlZCIsImNsaWNrVGV4dCI6dHJ1ZSwicGF0aCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZvcm11bGExLmNvbS9lbi9sYXRlc3QvYXJ0aWNsZS9hbnRvbmVsbGktaW5zaXN0cy1zcGFuaXNoLWdyYW5kLXByaXgtdmljdG9yeS1kb2VzbnQtZmVlbC1hcy1nb29kLWJlY2F1c2Utbm9ycmlzLWRlc2VydmVkLXRvLXdpbi4zeHpiRHJQVmxObWw1dk5FeTI0Zk1vIiwicGF0aFR5cGUiOiJpbnRlcm5hbCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/latest\/article\/antonelli-insists-spanish-grand-prix-victory-doesnt-feel-as-good-because-norris-deserved-to-win.3xzbDrPVlNml5vNEy24fMo\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">\u201cexactly what I don\u2019t want to do\u201d<\/a>, but following his win in Austin, even the Italian <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoic3RhcnRlZF90b19kaXNjdXNzX2xpbmtfY2xpY2tlZCIsImNsaWNrVGV4dCI6dHJ1ZSwicGF0aCI6Imh0dHBzOi8vd3d3LmZvcm11bGExLmNvbS9lbi9sYXRlc3QvYXJ0aWNsZS9pdC13YXMtdGhlLXJlc3VsdC13ZS1uZWVkZWQtYW50b25lbGxpLWhvcGluZy10by13aW4tdGl0bGUtdmVyeS1zb29uLWFmdGVyLXBlcmZlY3QtdXMtZ3AuM3B1a0l0STU3RVdQOUF0enJFeE1layIsInBhdGhUeXBlIjoiaW50ZXJuYWwifQ==\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/latest\/article\/it-was-the-result-we-needed-antonelli-hoping-to-win-title-very-soon-after-perfect-us-gp.3pukItI57EWP9AtzrExMek\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">started to discuss<\/a> how close he was to that maiden World Championship crown&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>How many points are still up for grabs?<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Five rounds remain in the 2026 season, with the next being the <a class=\"text-brand-hot-red underline decoration-1 hover:decoration-[3px]\" data-f1rd-a7s-click=\"rich_text_atom_click\" data-f1rd-a7s-context=\"eyJhY3Rpb25UeXBlIjoibWV4aWNvX2NpdHlfZ3JhbmRfcHJpeF9saW5rX2NsaWNrZWQiLCJjbGlja1RleHQiOnRydWUsInBhdGgiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5mb3JtdWxhMS5jb20vZW4vcmFjaW5nLzIwMjYvbWV4aWNvIiwicGF0aFR5cGUiOiJpbnRlcm5hbCJ9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.formula1.com\/en\/racing\/2026\/mexico\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Mexico City Grand Prix<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">This means that the maximum points score still available is 125, which would be achieved by a driver winning every remaining Grand Prix.<\/p>\n<p>Which drivers are still in contention for the title?<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Mathematically, two drivers besides Antonelli are still in contention for the championship \u2013 just Russell and Hamilton can beat the Italian now.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">However, the realistic likelihood of either taking the title is slim, with their chance of winning based on the possibility of Antonelli failing to score any more points and one of the duo winning every race until the end of the season.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">In this scenario, Russell or Hamilton could seal the title in Abu Dhabi.<\/p>\n<p>When could Antonelli claim the World Championship?<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Antonelli had a chance of winning the title at the United States Grand Prix, and he almost did it too. He needed to win the race and have Hamilton finish fifth or lower, and Russell finish ninth or lower.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">While the 20-year-old held up his end of the bargain with victory in Austin, Hamilton finished fourth and Russell eighth to deny him the title.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">But his maximum score means it is very likely that Antonelli will win the title in Mexico City. For this to happen, Antonelli would need to finish at least ninth. If he does so, it does not matter where Russell or Hamilton finish, the title will belong to the Italian.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">In other words, Antonelli needs to score just two more points to take the title. If he fails to score, he will still take the title if neither Russell nor Hamilton win the race.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">If Antonelli finishes P10, Russell can keep the title fight going to Sao Paulo with a victory.<\/p>\n<p>When can Mercedes clinch the Teams&#8217; Championship?<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Following their 29-point haul from Austin, Mercedes can seal the Constructors&#8217; Championship title in Mexico City, although it remains a long shot with Ferrari still very much in contention.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">If they take a 1-2, then the Silver Arrows need Ferrari to score four points or fewer to take the title next weekend.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">If Antonelli and Russell take the win and a third place, they need Ferrari to score one point or less.<\/p>\n<p class=\"typography-module_body-s-regular__ul7F5 typography-module_md_body-m-regular__d9VRg typography-module_lg_body-l-regular__dPa5z\">Any other scenario sees that title battle move on to the next round in Sao Paulo.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Kimi Antonelli has remained at the top of the drivers\u2019 standings since Round 3 of the campaign in&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":942331,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[573],"tags":[64,63,817,813,816,85],"class_list":["post-942330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-formula-1","tag-au","tag-australia","tag-f1","tag-formula-1","tag-formula1","tag-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=942330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/942330\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/942331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=942330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=942330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=942330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}