Antonelli closes in on F1 title as Verstappen wins with broken radio — SkimNews
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- Kimi Antonelli finished third at the Singapore Grand Prix after a strategic late tyre change, overtaking Lando Norris and Lewis Hamilton to extend his championship lead
- Kimi Antonelli said it would be 'very scary' if Max Verstappen were challenging for the 2026 title, citing Verstappen's dominant recent form including back-to-back wins
- Antonelli could secure the F1 drivers' championship at the US Grand Prix in Austin by outscoring George Russell by 23 points or Lewis Hamilton by 14 points
- Toto Wolff acknowledged Antonelli is almost certain to win the title, estimating the probability as 'probably almost 100 per cent' despite risks of breakdowns or accidents
- Max Verstappen won the Singapore GP despite a full-race radio failure, unable to communicate with engineer Gianpiero Lambiase while still managing deployment issues and tyre wear effectively
- Verstappen overcame a poor start record in 2026 by fending off Charles Leclerc at the first corner, then controlled the race after resolving early deployment problems
Why it matters: Antonelli’s path to becoming the youngest F1 champion in history is now clear, with only six races remaining and a 23-point margin to defend. Verstappen’s isolation from the title fight due to Red Bull’s earlier struggles has removed the sport’s most dominant force from contention, altering the season’s competitive balance.
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