Kimi Antonelli is very close to being crowned Formula 1 champion, but the title has not yet been officially sealed. After George Russell’s retirement in the Sprint race in Singapore, the gap at the top has widened, and everything now depends on the calculations for the final weeks of the season.
A clear advantage, but no final verdict
Antonelli leads the standings with 325 points, while Russell follows with 236. The 89-point gap puts the Italian in a very favorable position with seven races still to be run.
For Russell, this was his second straight retirement after the one in Malaysia, a blow that has significantly complicated the title fight. However, mathematically, the battle remains open.
When the title could be decided
The first scenario in which Antonelli could wrap it up is the Austin Grand Prix, on October 23-25. There, he would need to end the weekend with a 125-point lead over Russell.
If that does not happen, the next threshold comes in Mexico, where a 100-point gap would be enough. Then come Brazil with a 75-point lead, Las Vegas with 50, and Qatar with a 25-point difference.
If none of these scenarios is sealed earlier, everything could be pushed back to Abu Dhabi, in the final race of the season on December 4-6.
Even the maximum scenario does not make Russell the favorite
The calculations still remain in Antonelli’s favor even in the most extreme version for his rival. If Russell wins all seven remaining races and takes the maximum 175 points, the Italian would still control his own championship destiny.
According to the calculations, Antonelli would still need 87 more points by the end of the season to secure the title in that scenario. That shows the current lead is not merely symbolic, but a real advantage in the fight for the crown.
Not only Russell, but he remains the main obstacle
Mathematically, Lewis Hamilton with 221 points, Charles Leclerc with 197, Max Verstappen with 196 and Lando Norris with 189 also remain in the title race.
However, given the current gap and the number of races left, the main pressure on Antonelli comes from Russell. The others remain in contention only on paper.
What happens in the event of a tie on points
If two drivers finish the season level on points, the title is not decided immediately by the usual standings. The first factor taken into account is the number of wins during the season.
If there is also a tie there, second places are compared, then third places and the results that follow, until the driver with the better overall record is determined.
With seven races still left on the calendar, Antonelli has the title within reach, but not yet in his pocket.
For now, what separates him from the crown is no longer his pace on track, but only the mathematics of the remaining weeks.