Kimi Antonelli has admitted he is beginning to dream of a historic Formula 1 world championship, with the Mercedes driver believing the title is within reach after securing his 14th podium finish of the season at the Singapore Grand Prix on Sunday.

If successful, Antonelli would become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history and Italy’s first title winner since 1953.

The 20-year-old finished third at the Marina Bay Street Circuit in a race dominated from start to finish by Max Verstappen of Red Bull. Although Antonelli had a challenging afternoon and came close to receiving a penalty for exceeding track limits, the podium result strengthened his position in the championship battle.

Antonelli extended his advantage over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 102 points, putting him in a strong position heading into the next round in Austin, Texas.

Asked whether he was allowing himself to imagine securing the championship at the United States Grand Prix, Antonelli replied: “For sure.

“But at the same time, I know it’s very close, I know it’s there, but I just need to make sure that I keep doing the best I can. The mindset is always the same: to go out there and win.

“I think this weekend I haven’t particularly driven that well, but I feel confident that, with a week to reset, I’m really looking forward to being back in Austin.

“If I don’t do my job well, then the result won’t come. So, in order to achieve what I want, I need to perform at 100%.”

Antonelli could mathematically clinch the Formula 1 drivers’ championship in Austin, depending on the results of his rivals and the remaining calendar. Five races are currently scheduled after the Texas event, although uncertainty surrounding the Qatar Grand Prix and Abu Dhabi Grand Prix has emerged amid conflict in the Middle East.

Despite Antonelli’s growing chances, Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff is refusing to get carried away.

“I remind myself that this is motor racing and crazy things have happened,” Wolff said.

He added that Antonelli would probably need retirements from both Russell and Lewis Hamilton, alongside a victory of his own, to secure the title in Austin.

“So this is not a likely scenario,” Wolff acknowledged, while conceding that the championship was increasingly within the young Italian’s grasp.

“It’s going to come towards him, whether that’s in Mexico or Brazil, or far down the line.”

Mercedes upgrades offer fresh hope

Russell endured a difficult start in Singapore after engine-related penalties forced him to begin from the back of the grid. Nevertheless, the Briton recovered to finish ninth at a circuit where overtaking opportunities are notoriously limited.

Wolff revealed that both Mercedes drivers were expected to use an upgraded car in Austin, with the team having made progress in addressing some of the package’s early problems during the Singapore weekend.

“I think that this new car needs a very different setup philosophy than the previous car,” he explained.

“Does it have the performance that we were hoping the upgrade would bring? I don’t think so yet, but it was a step in the right direction.”

Antonelli also narrowly avoided a five-second penalty in Singapore after reaching the permitted limit for track-limit violations.

Despite the incident, Wolff praised his young driver’s performance and joked that Mercedes might need to improve Antonelli’s view of the track boundaries.

“I have a good strategy. I’m going to put a pillow from the hotel under his arse, so he can actually see the road,” Wolff quipped.

With the championship battle approaching a decisive stage, Antonelli will head to Austin knowing that consistent performances could bring him closer to a place in Formula 1 history.