Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen shared a light-hearted moment with Andrea Kimi Antonelli after the 2026 United States Grand Prix, joking about how the Mercedes driver might feel when he arrives in Brazil if he celebrates winning the Formula 1 World Championship in Mexico. The Italian had just secured his ninth victory of the season in Austin, moving to the brink of his first world title.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli knew that securing the championship in the United States would be extremely difficult, but his coronation now appears to be only a week away. The decisive moment could arrive on 1 November at the Mexico City Grand Prix, where the 20-year-old will have the opportunity to make history. Before the Austin podium ceremony, however, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen were already having some fun imagining how the celebrations might unfold.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli wins United States GP and moves closer to F1 title
Andrea Kimi Antonelli arrived in Austin knowing that the championship was within reach, putting him in an enviable position. The Italian appeared relaxed in Texas, initially keeping a relatively low profile before delivering when it mattered most. He secured pole position, made an exceptional start that earned praise from Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff, and went on to claim a commanding victory.
His race strategy also proved decisive. While Max Verstappen, Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc all made two pit stops, Andrea Kimi Antonelli completed the Grand Prix with just one stop, converting his qualifying advantage into another important victory. Behind the Mercedes driver, the Ferrari SF-26 showed encouraging race pace, with Charles Leclerc taking second place.
The victory leaves Andrea Kimi Antonelli on the verge of securing the Drivers’ Championship. Although the title was not mathematically decided in Texas, a ninth-place finish in Mexico would be enough for the Italian to become world champion. The various remaining championship possibilities can also be explored through the F1 Championship Points Calculator.
Despite being so close to the biggest achievement of his career, Andrea Kimi Antonelli has avoided openly discussing the prospect of becoming world champion. Others have been considerably less reluctant, including Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, who finished alongside him on the Austin podium and could not resist teasing their young rival.
Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen joke about Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s celebrations
The conversation in the cooldown room before the podium ceremony eventually turned towards the world championship and how Andrea Kimi Antonelli might celebrate if he secures the title in Mexico.
Alcohol became part of the discussion because the Mercedes driver is only 20 years old. In the United States, the legal drinking age is 21, meaning he cannot legally drink alcohol there. In Mexico, however, the minimum legal drinking age is lower, opening up a different possibility for any potential championship celebrations.
It was a subject that Andrea Kimi Antonelli did not appear particularly enthusiastic about discussing. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen, on the other hand, seemed more than happy to continue the conversation, playfully teasing the young Italian about what might happen if he finally secures the title.
Charles Leclerc predicts a difficult Brazilian GP after potential Mexico celebrations
The exchange began with Charles Leclerc suggesting that the championship would effectively be settled in Mexico. Andrea Kimi Antonelli did not offer much of a response, but Max Verstappen then brought up the prospect of celebrating with tequila, turning the discussion towards what might happen after the festivities.
Charles Leclerc quickly joined in, imagining a particularly lively celebration for the 20-year-old Mercedes driver. The Ferrari star then joked about how that might affect his rival at the following Grand Prix in Brazil.
“You won’t arrive in Brazil in great shape,” Charles Leclerc told Andrea Kimi Antonelli.
Max Verstappen continued the joke, adding: “He’ll skip the Grand Prix.”
The exchange reflected the relaxed atmosphere between three drivers who, despite being fierce competitors on the circuit, were able to laugh together away from the intensity of racing. Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen appeared genuinely amused by the prospect of their young rival celebrating his first world championship, while Andrea Kimi Antonelli remained noticeably more reserved about the subject.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli approaches a historic Formula 1 achievement
The title may not yet be officially secured, but Andrea Kimi Antonelli is now just one step away from writing his name into Formula 1 history. If he completes the job in Mexico, the Mercedes driver will become the first Italian Formula 1 world champion in 73 years and the youngest driver ever to win the championship.
What makes the situation particularly interesting is the respect the 20-year-old has already earned from some of Formula 1’s established stars. Lewis Hamilton has repeatedly praised the Italian, while Max Verstappen has also spoken highly of his abilities. Charles Leclerc has shown similar appreciation, even if the Ferrari driver took the opportunity to have some fun at his younger rival’s expense in Austin.
For Charles Leclerc, the moment also followed an intense on-track encounter with Max Verstappen at the United States Grand Prix. The two had fought a memorable battle, with the Ferrari driver ultimately securing second place ahead of the Red Bull star. Their Austin duel and mutual respect provided another example of how fierce competition can coexist with friendly exchanges away from the track.
Attention now turns to the 2026 Mexico City Grand Prix on 1 November, where Andrea Kimi Antonelli could finally secure the championship. If that happens, Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen will undoubtedly be interested to see whether their prediction about the celebrations proves accurate when the Formula 1 paddock arrives in Brazil.
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