Kimi Antonelli wins the United States Grand Prix and could become Formula 1 champion as early as Mexico

Victory in Austin, but the title must wait

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli dominated the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, but was unable to clinch his first Formula 1 world championship title early. The twenty-year-old Italian finished ahead of Max Verstappen of Red Bull and Charles Leclerc of Ferrari, Anadolu reports. The main battle on track was for second place, where Verstappen and Leclerc fought throughout the race.

The title math

After the race, Antonelli leads his Mercedes teammate George Russell by 123 points, Anadolu writes. According to AFP, he has 365 points versus 242 for Russell and 241 for seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari. To become champion in Mexico, Antonelli must not lose more than 23 points to Russell or 24 points to Hamilton: ninth place will suffice even if Russell wins, and tenth if Hamilton wins. If neither of them wins, the title goes to Antonelli regardless of his result. AFP offers an even simpler formula: he will become champion by finishing in the top nine, or if Russell or Hamilton fail to win.

Reactions

This was Antonelli's ninth win of the season and his first since the Spanish Grand Prix, Anadolu notes. The perfect way would be to finish it off in style and then simply enjoy the rest of the season, AFP quotes Antonelli as saying, adding that his mindset does not change. He also thanked the team for the one-stop strategy decision. Russell, who needed to finish in the top eight to keep his chances alive, finished eighth after receiving an early five-second penalty: My pace was simply terrible today, he admitted. Hamilton, who had only mathematical chances left, lamented lost time in the first two stints of the race and problems with the car's setup.

Historical context

According to AFP, Antonelli is close to breaking Sebastian Vettel's record as the youngest world champion — Vettel won his first title in 2010 at the age of 23 years and 133 days. Antonelli could also become the first Italian to win the title since Alberto Ascari in 1953. 1996 champion Damon Hill said on BBC air that the team loves him and that he delivers results. Editorial note: although the title is not yet formally decided, a 123-point lead with three drivers in the fight makes any scenario in which Antonelli does not become champion in Mexico extremely unlikely — for that, he would need to lose more than 23 points to one pursuer in a single race.

Why it matters

The event matters to fans and to Formula 1 itself: in Mexico, the youngest champion in the series' history could be decided, which directly affects the balance of power in the championship for 2027. Practically everything comes down to one race: Antonelli only needs to finish in the top nine to settle the title question, while Russell and Hamilton need to win to keep the intrigue alive.