Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix as F1 Title Celebration Waits Until Mexico

Kimi Antonelli moved closer to securing his first Formula 1 world championship after delivering a dominant victory at the United States Grand Prix, although the Mercedes driver must wait until next weekend to potentially seal the title.

The 20-year-old Italian finished ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen at the Circuit of the Americas in Texas, extending his championship lead over Mercedes team-mate George Russell to 123 points.

Antonelli could be crowned world champion at the Mexico City Grand Prix, scheduled for 30 October to 1 November, provided he does not lose more than 23 points to Russell or 24 points to Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

A ninth-place finish would be enough if Russell wins in Mexico, while 10th place would secure the title if Hamilton takes victory. If neither British driver wins, Antonelli will become champion regardless of his finishing position.

The Italian demonstrated his control of the race from the opening lap, making an excellent start while Verstappen and Leclerc battled behind him. By the end of the first lap, Antonelli had established a lead of more than two seconds.

He maintained that advantage throughout the race, eventually finishing 16 seconds ahead of Leclerc.

Mercedes’ decision to start Antonelli on medium tyres proved crucial. While Leclerc and the Red Bull drivers began on new soft tyres, Antonelli managed his tyres effectively and completed the race with a single pit stop, unlike most of his rivals, who stopped twice.

The victory also provided encouragement for Mercedes following its recent car upgrades. The new package, introduced two races earlier in Malaysia, initially failed to deliver the expected improvement. However, continued development has now helped the team establish a clear performance advantage over its previous specification.

“It was the result we needed,” Antonelli said, praising the team’s work and the strategy that allowed him to complete the race with one stop.

On the championship, he added that he knew the team was close and hoped to secure the title soon.

While Antonelli controlled the race, much of the battle behind him centred on Leclerc and Verstappen, who fought fiercely for the remaining podium positions.

Leclerc moved into third place early and overtook Verstappen after a wheel-to-wheel battle through several corners. However, the Dutchman fought back and reclaimed second place with a move down the inside at Turn 15.

Their different tyre strategies shaped the remainder of the contest. Verstappen stopped first on lap 13, while Ferrari kept Leclerc out for another two laps. The drivers later switched to medium tyres, with Leclerc’s strategy allowing him to stay out longer.

After his second stop, Leclerc emerged 8.5 seconds behind Verstappen but steadily reduced the gap. Both drivers eventually passed McLaren’s Lando Norris before Leclerc overtook Verstappen into Turn One on lap 49 to secure second place.

Verstappen then had to defend his position against a late challenge from Hamilton, ultimately finishing third by just one second.

Hamilton took fourth place, while Norris finished fifth after managing his tyres through a one-stop strategy. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar came sixth, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in seventh and Russell in eighth.

Russell’s race was hampered by a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage. The penalty dropped him down the order after his pit stop, and he could recover only two positions.

Liam Lawson of Racing Bulls and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly completed the top 10.

Former world champion Damon Hill praised Antonelli’s personality and performance, describing him as a talented young driver who had earned the support of his Mercedes team.

With the championship now within reach, attention turns to Mexico City, where Antonelli could become the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history if the required results fall his way.