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What Antonelli needs to win drivers’ championship

Antonelli needs to win.

This is the only thing he has some control over this weekend, and so the only thing he will be worrying about as he heads to Texas. 

In his rookie season last term, Antonelli only managed a 13th placed finish at the Circuit of the Americas, while Max Verstappen romped to the chequered flag ahead of eventual champion Lando Norris. 

If Antonelli can win in America, he also needs two things to happen. 

Lewis Hamilton to finish in P5 or lower. 

Hamilton sits 111 points adrift of Antonelli in third place in the standings – finishing in fifth or worse would guarantee he cannot catch him for the rest of the season. 

Assuming the seven-time world champion does not mount a historic comeback to steal the crown, it would extend his wait for an eighth world championship to six seasons. 

George Russell to finish P9 or lower. 

This is perhaps the toughest thing that needs to fall Antonelli’s way.

Russell, in the same car as Antonelli, would need to have a disaster weekend as he attempts to mount a late title charge. 

If Antonelli does not win the championship this weekend, his next chance would be at Mexico City next weekend.