Motorsports

Mercedes’ Antonelli Nears Crown

Published

2 hours ago

October 26, 2026

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli moved closer to becoming Formula One’s youngest world champion after a commanding victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday, October 25.

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli (L) runs past Haas F1 Team’s French driver Esteban Ocon to celebrate with his team after winning the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT)

The 20-year-old Italian claimed his ninth win of the season at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing 13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen completed the podium.

Antonelli now needs only a ninth-place finish at the Mexican Grand Prix on November 1 to secure his maiden world championship, regardless of how his remaining rivals perform.

US basketball player for the Indiana Fever Sophie Cunningham waves the checkered flag at the end of the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS)

He would break the record held by Sebastian Vettel, who was 23 years and 133 days old when he claimed his first title in 2010. Antonelli would also become Italy’s first Formula One champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.

The Mercedes driver had an opportunity to secure the championship in Austin, provided teammate George Russell finished outside the top eight and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton failed to reach the top four.

Russell finished eighth and Hamilton fourth, keeping the title mathematically undecided for another week.

Starting from pole position, Antonelli made an excellent getaway and established a two-second advantage by the end of the opening lap. He controlled the race from there, making a one-stop strategy work while several rivals opted for two pit stops.

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli races ahead of Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen (L) during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT)

Verstappen lost ground at the start as Leclerc moved ahead, although the four-time champion soon recovered second place.

Leclerc mounted another challenge late in the race and overtook Verstappen to claim the runner-up spot. Hamilton also closed in, leaving the Red Bull driver defending third place in the closing laps.

Russell endured another difficult afternoon after receiving a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage on the opening lap. He also struggled to find a way past McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, who finished seventh.

Mercedes’ Italian driver Kimi Antonelli races during the United States Formula One Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on October 25, 2026. (Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT)

Reigning champion Lando Norris briefly occupied second place before fading on worn tires and finishing fifth, ahead of Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar.

Antonelli heads to Mexico with a 123-point championship advantage over Russell and the opportunity to settle the title with four races still to follow.