Why Not Winning the Title at COTA Could Bring a Nightmare Scenario for Kimi Antonelli

Kimi Antonelli risks securing his maiden Formula 1 championship away from the track if ongoing Middle East tensions lead to race cancellations in Qatar and Abu Dhabi before the Mexican Grand Prix. The 20-year-old holds a commanding 123-point lead and needs just two points in Mexico to seal the title. However, the writer notes an early cancellation could automatically hand him the championship by default rather than through on-track racing.

Earlier in the 2026 campaign, F1 called off the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian rounds due to regional conflict, relocating Bahrain's race to Malaysia. While speculation surrounds Imola as a potential replacement for the season finale, F1 President Stefano Domenicali previously maintained that the championship still intends to proceed with the planned races in Qatar and Abu Dhabi.