FIA denies F1 request to present championship trophy to Kimi Antonelli

FIA denies trophy request

The FIA refused a request from F1 to present the championship trophy to Kimi Antonelli in Mexico today, effectively blocking a major celebration. F1 requested the trophy for press photos because hardly anyone knows what the physical award actually looks like. The FIA cited tradition as the reason for the refusal, noting the champion always receives the trophy at the end-of-year prize giving ceremony. That ceremony takes place in Shanghai on 12 December, six days after the final race of the season. The FIA also maintains this tradition because race results can change or protests can occur after the podium ceremony ends. I find the FIA’s refusal to allow a simple photo opportunity incredibly stubborn. GPFans reports that F1 makes many requests like this on any given race weekend. The FIA makes it clear that the driver’s trophy is a specific prize for the end-of-year ceremony, not for race weekend celebrations. If Antonelli clinches the title today, the championship trophy will only appear as a digital projection on the LED screen near the podium, because the FIA insists the real trophy remains locked away until the December ceremony in Shanghai.

Antonelli chases record

Kimi Antonelli enters the Mexican Grand Prix today from fourth on the starting grid with a massive lead in the championship standings. The race takes place at the Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez and gets underway at 2pm local time, or 8pm in the UK. He needs to finish ninth or higher to guarantee the title if George Russell wins the race. If Lewis Hamilton wins, he only needs tenth or higher. He could also clinch the title with any result if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race. This victory would make the 20-year-old Mercedes driver the youngest world champion in F1 history, breaking Sebastian Vettel’s record by more than three years. Antonelli would be exactly 20 years and 68 days old on the day he clinches the title. He is the hot favourite to clinch the championship today.

Mercedes deputy team boss Bradley Lord told Sky: "He’s still a bit tired, but he’s participating normally in the briefings." A viral illness kept Antonelli away from Thursday’s media day before he returned to the paddock on Friday. Antonelli currently holds a 123-point lead over George Russell and a 124-point lead over Lewis Hamilton. He has claimed nine race victories during his sophomore season. The points gap between Antonelli and the rest of the field is substantial. The Mercedes driver arrived in Mexico after a difficult week of preparation due to his viral illness, though he continues to participate in all team activities.