Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of becoming Formula 1’s youngest world champion, but Damon Hill is worried about how quickly and easily success has come to him.

Antonelli’s ninth win of 2026 at COTA has put him in the prime position to win the title at the next race in Mexico. He would have clinched the championship in Austin if George Russell and Lewis Hamilton had both finished one place lower – they were P8 and P4, respectively.

The two Brits now must win in Mexico City to keep their title hopes alive. However, if Russell wins, Antonelli will be champion if he finishes eighth or higher, and if Hamilton wins, he will be champion if he finishes ninth or higher.

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Damon Hill concerned that Kimi Antonelli will ‘always’ expect success after 2026 dominance

The Italian dominated the United States Grand Prix, taking pole position from Max Verstappen and leading the race from the off.

Mercedes executed a one-stop strategy as the 20-year-old started on the medium compound tyre. Antonelli defied Ferrari’s simulations, with Charles Leclerc, who finished P2, saying that the team never considered a one-stop race.

Antonelli’s pace was electrifying, and he is now on the verge of the title. But 1996 F1 champion Hill has expressed concern about his meteoric rise and how easy it has been for him in 2026.

“You’d think there would be a lot of pressure, but this guy doesn’t seem to be… he’s too young to really know what pressure is I think. What’s to worry about?” he said.

“That’s my only concern for him; it’s all happening rather quickly and rather easily. So, I hope that he doesn’t expect it always to be like this because Formula 1 is normally much more competitive, but he’s done a brilliant job all season.”

Kimi Antonelli closes in on championship victory, but the battle for second is heating up 🔥With five races remaining, who do you think will come out ahead?

Former Haas F1 boss Guenther Steiner was in agreement. He too was impressed by Antonelli’s pace at COTA, but he was also worried that he would think the sport is this easy all the time.

He added: “I mean, what he did yesterday in qualifying and today in the race, it’s just like nobody else was there almost.

“But as Damon said, I feel with him, it looks too easy, and I hope he doesn’t believe it’s so easy because it isn’t. But he’s very good, that’s my opinion, and I mean, at the moment, he’s that young guy, 20 years old, enjoys life, he does what he likes to do.”