Auto Racing|At Mercedes, the ‘Kid’ Has Risen to the Top of Formula 1

After winning the last two Grands Prix in China and Japan to become the youngest leader of the Formula 1 drivers’ championship, Kimi Antonelli is aware of the rising anticipation of what he could achieve this season.

After a five-week hiatus, following the cancellation of the Grands Prix in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia because of the war in Iran, racing returns in Miami this weekend, with Antonelli holding a nine-point lead over George Russell, his Mercedes teammate.

He is taking his new status in stride. “I’m aware of the increase in support, especially after my first win, which has been very nice to see,” Antonelli said in April. “But I don’t feel any more pressure than I did at the start of the season.

“I know the expectations of people are higher; they are automatically a bit different now because I’m coming off two wins and a strong start to the season. But at the end of the day, I focus on the process, on what I have to do. I don’t really want to put too much emphasis on expectation or the final result.”

Antonelli’s victory in Japan saw him leapfrog Russell, who finished fourth, in the standings. By taking over the lead of the championship at 19 years, 7 months and 4 days, he beat the record held by Lewis Hamilton, a seven-time champion, by 2 years and 9 months, which had stood since 2007.

He also became the first Italian since Alberto Ascari, a two-time champion, to win back-to-back Grands Prix, dating from 1953.