Antonelli will hold all the cards today as he looks to confirm his standing as this season’s F1 world champion - the odds are heavily in his favour. Here is how he could do it.

Simply put, any finish of ninth or better will be enough to see Antonelli crowned champion. Should he manage that, Russell and Hamilton’s finishing places will be irrelevant.

Provided neither Russell nor Hamilton win the race, Antonelli will be crowned champion. Antonelli will be slightly nervous that Hamilton has earned his first pole position in over three years, since the Hungarian Grand Prix in 2023 – 1,197 days ago – in Mexico City.

Should Antonelli finish tenth or lower, or even DNF, Russell or Hamilton can keep the title fight alive with a race win.

Leading the pack: George Russell and Kimi Antonelli top the drivers’ standings heading into round 19

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