Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli moved to the brink of his maiden Formula 1 world championship after delivering a dominant victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, October 25.
The 20-year-old Italian led Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc by 13.078 seconds at the Circuit of The Americas to claim his ninth Grand Prix victory of the season and strengthen his grip on the drivers’ championship.
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen finished third, while Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton took fourth place. Reigning world champion Lando Norris crossed the line fifth for McLaren.
Antonelli started from pole position and made an excellent getaway to establish an early lead, capitalising on Verstappen’s slow start to take control of the race.
Mercedes then executed a one-stop strategy that allowed Antonelli to manage his tyres and maintain his advantage over rivals who opted for two pit stops. Despite a late Virtual Safety Car period, the Italian held his lead to the chequered flag after 56 laps.
The victory extended Antonelli’s championship lead over teammate George Russell to 123 points, with Hamilton 124 points behind in the standings.
Russell endured a difficult afternoon, finishing eighth after receiving a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage during an opening-lap incident involving McLaren’s Oscar Piastri.
Hamilton’s fourth-place finish prevented Antonelli from securing the title in Austin, as the championship leader needed both rivals to finish outside specific positions for the crown to be decided.
Antonelli now needs only two more points to guarantee the 2026 drivers’ championship, regardless of Russell’s results, with the next opportunity coming at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1.
A ninth-place finish in Mexico would be enough to secure the title. Alternatively, Antonelli could be crowned champion if Russell and Hamilton both fail to win the race.
If he seals the championship, Antonelli would become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history, having turned 20 this year.
The result also leaves Mercedes in a strong position in the constructors’ championship as the season enters its final stages.
Antonelli said the Austin victory was the result his team needed, crediting its execution and the strategy that helped him control the race.
“We’re very close,” he said, expressing hope of securing the championship soon.
Formula 1 now heads to Mexico City for the next round, where Antonelli will have his first opportunity to confirm the title after an emphatic performance in Texas.
