WHY “IGNORANCE IS A SUPERPOWER” FOR KIMI ANTONELLI, ACCORDING TO DANIEL RICCIARDO

Daniel Ricciardo calls youth "a superpower" when explaining why Kimi Antonelli sits one result from becoming F1's youngest-ever champion. The Mercedes driver needs only ninth in Mexico City—or for neither George Russell nor Lewis Hamilton to win—to seal the 2026 title at 20, beating Sebastian Vettel's record by three-plus years.

Ricciardo draws from his own 2014 Red Bull debut, when he unexpectedly swept all three team wins while partnered with four-time champion Vettel. "Being young, being ignorant—everything's easy," he told Beyond The Grid. "I'm the best, I'll just keep winning."

Antonelli's nine victories this season mirror that unburdened confidence. He's outpaced established teammate Russell with naivety that fades as careers accumulate what Ricciardo calls "baggage." The Australian admits he had to "dig very deep" by career's end for what once came naturally.

Antonelli pledges to "have as much fun as possible" through Sunday. If the mentality holds and ninth materializes in Mexico, F1 crowns its youngest champion on blissful ignorance.