(Motorsport-Total.com) – “If Kimi wins in Monza despite a grid penalty, he is world champion,” Formula 1 expert Jolyon Palmer had already stated before the Italian Grand Prix. Now Kimi Antonelli has really accomplished this feat, and the question arises: Is the 2026 World Championship actually already decided?
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Mathematically, of course not yet, as there are still ten races left in the calendar until the end of the season. And even if the last two races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi were replaced by a season finale in Imola, there would still be nine Grands Prix this year.
Including sprints, even in this scenario there would still be 233 championship points to be won, and Antonelli’s lead over teammate George Russell currently amounts to “only” 66 points. Nevertheless, expert Palmer sticks to his assessment after Monza that it will now be very difficult for his compatriot.
“George Russell will lick his wounds and realize that this season may have finally slipped away from him,” writes the former Formula 1 driver in his column for Formula1.com and adds: “It must have felt like a real punch in the gut to be beaten here by Kimi.”
“He is right that there were some important factors in the race that were beyond his control and worked against him. But I still think this was further proof of Kimi’s outstanding skill as well as his mental strength,” says Palmer.
“Technically, there is still a terribly long way to go this season,” he also knows, “but after this fascinating driving performance, it is hard to believe that we have not just witnessed the decisive moment of the 2026 season and possibly also of the young Kimi Antonelli’s career.”
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2027 a new chance for Russell?
Ralf Schumacher finds even clearer words in the Backstage Boxengasse podcast by Sky. “That is of course a huge slap. That does something to a driver,” says the six-time Grand Prix winner about Russell’s Monza defeat.
“I think now he has realized that under normal circumstances he has no chance,” says Schumacher about this year’s championship battle. He also assumes that Russell will soon have to take on the role of number 2 internally at Mercedes.
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“I am pretty sure that there will now be a proper meeting [at Mercedes], and that George will also be made clear who is fighting for the championship this year, what his role is this year, what he has to do,” says Schumacher.
At the same time, the expert also makes it clear that Russell should not be written off in general now. “He has the pace,” he emphasizes and explains that the Brit simply does not get along as well with the new car this year as his teammate.
“Next year it could theoretically be the other way around,” emphasizes Schumacher and adds: “Therefore, he now has to keep his feet still and think about the team and not about himself.” Meaning: He advises Russell to accept the number 2 role for the rest of the year – to then attack anew in 2027.
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