Kimi Antonelli rookie card sells for staggering $878,400 ahead of F1 title opportunity

AUSTIN, October 23 — Kimi Antonelli has confessed that he requires a flawless weekend at the United States Grand Prix in order to fulfill his aspiration of clinching his first drivers’ world championship title. The 20-year-old Italian driver from Mercedes could potentially become the youngest champion in Formula 1 history and the first from Italy since Alberto Ascari in 1953 if he triumphs in Sunday's race and his nearest rival, team-mate George Russell, fails to finish in the top eight spots.

Antonelli would also need the seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton to finish outside the top four positions. "If you think about it, it’s crazy," remarked a smiling and composed Antonelli during a press conference at the Circuit of the Americas. "For me, it needs to be a perfect weekend and the others need to have a poor result, which is improbable."

While Antonelli acknowledged that anything could happen and the possibility is absurd, he and his team agreed to focus on each race individually. "We had a meeting this morning and we said ‘just have fun’, so we’re in the same mindset that I’ve had all year," he stated. Mercedes' champion Lewis Hamilton, who transferred to Ferrari, commended Antonelli’s skills and demeanor. As a multiple champion, Hamilton advised the young Italian to "slow down!"