Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix

Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix

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Antonelli Wins the US Grand Prix and Moves to the Brink of the F1 Title

Kimi Antonelli controlled the United States Grand Prix from pole for his ninth win of 2026. He didn't quite clinch the championship, but he's now one result away from a place in the record books.

Race recap: Austin, 25 October

Charles Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, 13.078 seconds behind, with Max Verstappen third in the Red Bull. Antonelli stayed out on track until lap 24, rejoined fourth, then quickly picked off the cars ahead to reclaim the lead. The one-stop strategy worked, and Antonelli credited the team's new car package for the result.

Championship standings

After Austin, Antonelli has 365 points, with Mercedes teammate George Russell on 242 and Lewis Hamilton on 241. Hamilton's fourth place in Austin kept his title hopes alive. The numbers are heavily in Antonelli's favour, though. He sits 123 points ahead of his nearest rival, with a maximum of 125 points available from the five races left.

Can Antonelli clinch it in Mexico?

Almost certainly. He needs only a ninth-place finish in Mexico to take the title. That would make him F1's youngest-ever champion and the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953, who drove for Ferrari.

What to watch next

  • Mexico City Grand Prix (30 October to 1 November): the first chance for Antonelli to seal the title.
  • Ferrari's momentum: Leclerc's podium and Hamilton's fourth place are good signs for the Scuderia.
  • Red Bull: Verstappen is back on the podium and still a threat at every race.

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