Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix to Move to the Brink of the F1 Title

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin on Sunday, 25 October 2026, finishing 13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc to move to the brink of his first Formula 1 world title. Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull, 17.485 seconds behind.

It was the Mercedes driver’s ninth Grand Prix win of the season. He now has 365 points and a lead of 123 over team-mate George Russell, who finished eighth.

How Did Antonelli Win the US Grand Prix?

A strong opening lap, combined with a poor start from Verstappen, put Antonelli in front early, and he controlled the 56-lap race on a one-stop strategy, Formula1.com reported. His lead was cut only by a Virtual Safety Car before the final lap, caused when Valtteri Bottas pulled his Cadillac off the track.

Leclerc passed Verstappen late on for a second consecutive second place, as the Red Bull driver appeared to suffer a deployment problem. Lewis Hamilton went side by side with Verstappen but settled for fourth.

• 1st: Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes).
• 2nd: Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), +13.078s.
• 3rd: Max Verstappen (Red Bull), +17.485s.
• 4th–8th: Lewis Hamilton, Lando Norris, Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, George Russell.
• Retirements: Franco Colapinto, Ollie Bearman, Valtteri Bottas.

Why Did Russell Finish Only Eighth?

Russell, who was handed a five-second penalty, had a frustrating afternoon in eighth. His result meant the title fight was not settled in Austin, but it left him a long way behind with few races remaining.

Can Antonelli Clinch the Title in Mexico City?

Yes. According to Formula1.com, as long as Antonelli does not lose more than 23 points to Russell, or 24 to Hamilton, at the Mexico City Grand Prix next Sunday, he will be crowned champion. At 20, he would become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history.

“We’re very close but we’ll try to finish on a high, and hopefully we can clinch it very soon,” Antonelli said. “I would love to clinch the title in style with a great result.”

Where Do the Championships Stand?

Mercedes also lead the constructors’ championship comfortably, ahead of Ferrari. With Antonelli 123 points clear in the drivers’ standings, the remaining question is when, rather than whether, he will secure the title.

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Featured image: Liauzh / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0. Antonelli celebrates after the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix; file photo, not from Austin.

Sources

• Formula1.com — Antonelli surges to dominant victory in United States Grand Prix ahead of Leclerc and Verstappen (25 October 2026).
• Formula1.com — ‘It was the result we needed’ – Kimi Antonelli hoping to win title ‘very soon’ (25 October 2026).
• Formula1.com — Austin lowdown: All the key moments as Kimi Antonelli dominates (26 October 2026).