MEXICO CITY, Nov 2 — The celebrations will run long and hard in the Mercedes camp after the crowning of 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli as the youngest ever world champion, but there is one man for whom the Italian’s joy will be tinged with regret.

After all, this season was supposed to be all about George Russell.

After dominating early season testing, Russell went into the campaign as universal favourite to take the title, the heir to Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes ready to assume his place in the pantheon.

That status was reinforced by an imposing victory in the opening race in Australia. Since then, however, that early optimism has turned to ashes as he has had to watch the young pretender steal in and claim his crown.