{
  "id": 6094743,
  "title": "Kimi is in control of title race and deserves to be, says Russell",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/07/kimi-is-in-control-of-title-race-and-deserves-to-be-says-russell",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-07T02:56:47.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/sports/motor-sports/2026/09/1527349/kimi-control-title-race-and-deserves-be-says-russell"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Monza: George Russell conceded on Sunday that Formula One's championship title was firmly in the grasp of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli, after the 20-year-old secured his seventh win of the season from a 19th starting grid position. The victory put Antonelli 66 points ahead in the standings. \"Definitely Kimi's in control of it and he's deserving to be in control of it,\" Russell said after starting and finishing second. \"For me personally, I'm not even thinking about a fight or a comeback or anything. I'm just focused on taking it race by race and trying to maximise every single weekend.\" Antonelli is the first Italian to win his home race since 1966 and the first to lead the championship at Monza since 1953. The previous feat of winning from a much further back position was achieved by Britain's John Watson at the 1983 US Grand Prix West at Long Beach, California. Antonelli maintained that he was still focusing on each race individually, wary of sudden changes in the championship standings. \"I don't want to really look at it because we've seen in this season how things can change very quickly,\" he said. \"There's no point in thinking about the championship and we've just got to stay in the moment, present, and then take it race by race.\" Winning at Monza was a dream come true for the youngster. \"To see all the fans on the straight, it's just incredible,\" he added. The support from the fans was a significant boost for Antonelli.",
  "summary": "MONZA: George Russell accepted on Sunday that the Formula One championship was in the control of Mercedes teammate Kimi Antonelli after the Italian won his home grand prix from 19th on the starting grid.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}