Antonelli, 20, can break Vettel's youngest-champion record at the US Grand Prix

Kimi Antonelli could rewrite Formula 1 history at the Circuit of the Americas this weekend, with the 20-year-old Mercedes driver able to clinch the world championship in Austin and break Sebastian Vettel’s record as the sport’s youngest title winner.

Vettel was 23 when he secured his first championship at the 2010 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, edging Fernando Alonso, Mark Webber and Lewis Hamilton in a four-way decider. Antonelli, three years younger than Vettel was that day, enters the United States Grand Prix weekend with a 102-point lead over teammate George Russell. He will be crowned champion if he wins the race, Russell finishes outside the top eight, and Lewis Hamilton finishes outside the top four.

Asked at the pre-race press conference whether he remembered Vettel’s title-winning moment, Antonelli was candid about his age at the time. “I don’t remember that. I was four years old. I’m sorry,” he said. “I remember I was playing with Hot Wheels, but I don’t remember him clinching [the title]. Later on, when I grew up, I saw the race, which was crazy as well because it was a very close title fight between all of you guys.”

Despite the magnitude of what he is chasing, Antonelli was measured about the prospect of wrapping up the title in Austin. “I’m in an incredible position, but I’ve still got to keep going, and the mindset is always the same — whenever I go on track, to be at the top and to try and win as much as possible,” he said. “Whether I win the championship this weekend or next weekend, or in Brazil, let’s see. It’s not over until it’s over.”

The Italian also credited Mercedes’ development work as a key factor behind his dominant season. “This year, with the car we’ve got, we’ve had such a strong car and the team is doing an incredible job on developing and understanding this new package,” he said. “The team has done everything in their power to give us a great car and the opportunity to fight.”

Should Antonelli fall short of the required combination of results in Austin, he will have further opportunities in Brazil and beyond to seal the title before the season concludes.