Kimi Antonelli handed decisive verdict over F1 title chances

F1 fans have reached a decisive verdict over Kimi Antonelli's title chances in 2026.

The Italian claimed his first grand prix victory in the Chinese GP in a dominant performance, the day after becoming the youngest-ever driver to take pole position, eclipsing Sebastian Vettel's 18-year-old record from the 2008 Italian GP. 

With Mercedes' W17 looking like the dominant package in the season, it is clear that the two title favourites are Antonelli and his team-mate George Russell, who leads the standings by four points owing to his Chinese Sprint win, with the duo having one grand prix win apiece.

When Antonelli's title chances were put to RacingNews365 readers in a poll asking if he could win the title, just under two-thirds of voters believed the Italian would end a 73-year drought and become world champion.

Italy had two of the first three world champions with Giuseppe Farina in 1950, and then Alberto Ascari, who became the first back-to-back champion in 1952 and 1953, but its best finish since in the drivers' championship was runner-up in 1985 and 1992, through Michele Alboreto and Riccardo Patrese, respectively.

Should Antonelli win the title in 2026, he will become just the sixth driver to win their first grand prix in the same year they won their first title, following on from Farina in 1950, Jack Brabham in 1959, Graham Hill in 1962, Denny Hulme in 1967, and Keke Rosberg in 1982.

Check out the full results below!