Kimi Antonelli says F1 title fight is “not over until it’s over” ahead of Azerbaijan Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli has insisted the Drivers’ Championship is “not over until it’s over” as he looks ahead to the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, held at the Baku City Circuit.

Antonelli acknowledged that the championship is on his mind, but said he is determined to maintain his approach of delivering results race by race rather than becoming distracted by the points situation. He also referenced the idea of pushing performance under pressure, likening the challenge to “one point at a time,” with the final outcome decided only after the finish line.

The Italian’s message comes after a strong season for Mercedes. According to the Formula 1 report, Antonelli has already taken eight Grand Prix victories and added a further four podiums, building an 81-point advantage over George Russell.

Antonelli also addressed the competitive backdrop heading into Baku, noting that McLaren and Red Bull have closed the gap alongside Ferrari. He suggested that depending on where those rivals sit in terms of pace—mentioning McLaren’s position, Red Bull with Max Verstappen, and even Isack Hadjar—Mercedes could face a weekend where securing a podium or a P4 may be the realistic target, even though the goal remains to win.

Looking specifically to Azerbaijan, the report notes that Antonelli narrowly missed out on a podium last season in Baku, and he stressed the need to manage expectations while keeping mistakes to an absolute minimum. He said the track is “very challenging,” with little room for error, and emphasized that building performance throughout the weekend will be crucial to squeeze out the small margins when it matters most.

Written by Vancouver Television Sports Desk