Kimi Antonelli is about to become Mercedes’ first world champion since Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

Antonelli arrived at the United States Grand Prix 102 points ahead of teammate and nearest challenger George Russell, with only 150 still to play for. By the end of the Austin/Mexico City/Sao Paulo triple-header, his coronation will likely be confirmed.

Mercedes entered the season as strong favourites but Antonelli was largely unfancied given the significant deficit to George Russell in his unconvincing rookie season. At the age of 20, he will become the youngest title winner in F1 history, smashing the record set by a 23-year-old Sebastian Vettel in 2010.

Kimi Antonelli can only earn £5.2m bonus despite imminent title win

Antonelli may be driving for one of F1’s big four, but according to Bild, he only earns a base salary of €4m (£3.4m) per year. That reflects his youth and inexperience, but is reportedly less than drivers like Isack Hadjar (£3.8m), Esteban Ocon, Nico Hulkenberg (both £4.5m) and Alex Albon (£6m).

Second-place Russell earns £30m per year after signing a new contract last year, with third-place Hamilton taking home over £50m. Max Verstappen is F1’s highest earner, having extended his Red Bull contract for a rumoured £75m per season.

Would Lewis Hamilton have beaten Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes this season?

Guenther Steiner doesn't think so!

It’s no exaggeration to say that Antonelli, who has won eight races and scored 14 podiums this year, has proven to be one of the best-value drivers in F1 history. The maximum salary he can earn, with bonuses for the world championship and race wins accounted for, is just under €10m (£8.4m).

For reference, BBC Sport reported that Hamilton earned up to £10m through bonuses alone (on top a fixed £30m salary) when he won the title for Mercedes in 2020.

Unsurprisingly, Bild expect Antonelli to sign a new deal this winter that puts him in a ‘whole new salary galaxy’. The exact length of the Italian’s contract is unknown, but at the very least, he merits a similar wage to his teammate.

There is an incentive for Mercedes to pay up, with Ferrari ‘closely monitoring’ Antonelli. There’s no immediate prospect of the Scuderia trying to sign him, but it seems inevitable that they will make him an enormous offer one day.