Lando Norris delivers 'two levels' claim as George Russell heads for defeat

Lando Norris believes Kimi Antonelli has been "two levels above" George Russell in the 2026 title race as the Italian closes in on the championship.

Norris is already confirmed to be the outgoing world champion, with only Russell or Lewis Hamilton now able to deny Antonelli becoming the youngest world champion in history following his crushing victory in the United States last time out. 

Antonelli leads Russell by 123 points and Hamilton by 124, with 125 left in the season, and knows that if either of those drivers fail to win in Mexico City, then he will be crowned champion by default. 

If Russell wins, Antonelli must be ninth or better to take the title, and if Hamilton wins, the Italian requires 10th place or better to shatter Sebastian Vettel's record from 2010 of youngest champion by 3 years, 2 months, 4 days. Antonelli will be 20 years, 2 months, 7 days old on Sunday, with Vettel taking his maiden title at 23 years, 4 months, 11 days.

The Italian has claimed nine grand prix wins thus far to Russell's three, with the Briton being vocal about his struggles in driving the W17 machine, to which Antonelli has adapted seamlessly, including with five straight wins between China and Monaco.

As Antonelli closes in on making F1 history, outgoing champion Norris felt that the performance levels of Antonelli were "two levels above" Russell - whom Norris made clear he "rates."

"I think it's very impressive what he's been able to do at his age, in his second year in Formula 1, and he's going to be the youngest world champion ever," Norris told media, including RacingNews365, of Antonelli's impending coronation.

"It's pretty incredible, especially because last year... I wouldn't say he had a bad first season in Formula 1; he was against George, who I think is very good and has performed very well, especially in the last year against Lewis.

"He's taken quite a huge step, I would say, from last year to this year in terms of optimising things and understanding how to drive this year's car more than other people as well. 

"Dealing with the pressure, the lack of mistakes that have come from him in both qualifying races, the consistency to beat his team-mate, the way he has is pretty [strong].

"As I said, I rate George, and I think he's a very good driver. 

"But Kimi has been two levels above George the whole season, so he's done a pretty incredible job, and I'm sure the world knows that. 

"I don't need to say it. I think it's obvious enough."