Antonelli Closing In on the Title as Hamilton Offers a Warning

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli is moving quickly toward becoming the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history at the age of 20. The Italian driver could secure the title by winning this Sunday's United States Grand Prix in Austin, provided the other results also go his way.

Antonelli holds a 102-point lead. With 150 points still available in the season, he is in a very strong position for the championship. The driver says that winning the title would be a major goal for him, but he is focusing on each race one at a time.

Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton gave the young driver some tongue-in-cheek advice. The Ferrari driver praised Antonelli's talent, composure and approach in the Mercedes car that he himself once drove. Hamilton ended his remarks with "Slow down!" and added that he will always want his former team to succeed.

If Antonelli wins, he will be the first Italian driver to become champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. The young driver said that following in the footsteps of Mercedes and Hamilton to become champion would be a dream come true. He stressed, however, that he is ready to wait.

Antonelli said there are five races left on the calendar and that he wants to be at his best at every track. He could become champion in Austin, the following weekend, or in Brazil, and he described an approach focused on that goal.