Austin, 25 October. Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, leading all 56 laps from pole, and claimed his ninth win of the season, but has not yet sealed the championship early.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc was second, 13.078 seconds behind, and Max Verstappen third. Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and Antonelli's Mercedes team-mate George Russell eighth. Antonelli, alone among the leaders, stayed out until lap 24, rejoined fourth after his pit stop and soon retook the lead.
After Austin the Italian has 365 points, Russell 242 and Hamilton 241. To become champion at the next round in Mexico City, Antonelli needs only to finish ninth or higher. Russell keeps his chances only if he wins with Antonelli tenth or lower; Hamilton must win with Antonelli outside the points. Ninth place is worth two points, exactly what Antonelli needs for a lead his rivals can no longer close.
Mercedes' celebration was postponed by Mercedes itself: had Russell finished ninth rather than eighth, Antonelli would have been champion in Austin.
What it means: The 20-year-old Italian is 123 points ahead of his nearest rival, and a modest result in Mexico City will be enough for the title. The championship is postponed by at least a week.
Who benefits: Antonelli and Mercedes, which also strengthened its lead in the constructors' championship, with 607 points to Ferrari's 474. Rivals can only hope the leader fails to finish in Mexico.
Background: Antonelli was born on 25 August 2006 and made his Formula One debut in 2025. In 2026 he became the youngest pole-sitter and the youngest championship leader in the sport's history; he took his first win at the Chinese Grand Prix.
