Title to lose? Antonelli set for F1 history either way

LONDON, June 8 : Kimi Antonelli will either be Formula One's youngest world champion, well before the end of the season on current form, or the first driver to win five races in a row in a single campaign and not take the title.

A place in the sport's history is his either way and while the crown may appear to be the 19-year-old Italian's to lose, the question being asked now is whether it is still Mercedes teammate George Russell's to win.

Antonelli mastered the streets of Monte Carlo on Sunday with a dominant run from pole with fastest lap while Russell failed to score for the second successive race.

The championship leader has moved 66 points clear of Ferrari's seven times world champion Lewis Hamilton - who has now been runner-up in the last two races - after five wins in six starts, and is 68 ahead of Russell.

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Team boss Toto Wolff's post-race comments, about Russell's ability to bounce back, smacked more of boosting the Briton's morale than total conviction he can rein in the man on the other side of the garage.

"This is a long championship. Last year I remember people saying (McLaren's Oscar) Piastri has won the championship," said Wolff.

"Formula One is about physics, and not mystics. You don't unlearn how to drive, and you don't become a miracle wonder driver. I'm not stressed at all for his (Russell's) performances because we know he's one of the best."

"I have no doubt that George will come back very strong," added the Austrian.

Russell has time for an epic resurgence, with the 22-race season only a quarter done and plenty of points to be won, but history is as much against him as Lady Luck has been.

Only 10 drivers, including Antonelli, have ever won five races in a row since the