Antonelli Takes Austin Win to Push Title Gap to 123 Points

The 2026 Formula One season entered its final stretch on Sunday as Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas. The victory marks the ninth win of the season for the 20-year-old Italian. It extends his lead in the drivers' championship to 123 points over George Russell, his teammate at Mercedes. Five races remain on the schedule.

Antonelli started from pole position and crossed the finish line in 1:35:16.650. Charles Leclerc from Monaco finished second, 13.078 seconds behind the winner. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing took third place, 17.485 seconds off the lead. The podium finish keeps Verstappen in the points but cements his mathematical exit from the title fight. The four-time champion will go two years without a world title after winning every championship from 2021 to 2024.

Strategy decided the outcome over the 56-lap race. While rival teams made two pit stops, Antonelli waited until Lap 25 for his sole stop. He did not return to the pit lane after that intervention. "It was a perfect way to end the weekend; it was an incredible team effort, especially from strategy to believe in me and go for one stop," Antonelli said. The plan allowed him to manage tire wear effectively against the field.

A Virtual Safety Car on Lap 52 protected Antonelli's lead. Valtteri Bottas stopped his Cadillac on the track, triggering the procedure. The VSC remained active until the penultimate lap. By that point, no competitor could threaten the Mercedes driver for the win. Verstappen noted that the VSC may have aided his podium finish. He described the team's pace as insufficient and the available tires as unsuitable for the conditions.

Mercedes extended its advantage in the constructors' championship to 133 points. The team holds 607 points, while Ferrari sits second with 474. Antonelli has now won both United States races on the 2026 calendar. The Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled for November. Team principal Toto Wolff called it the best race Antonelli has produced so far. "Getting off the start with the inferior tyre and then controlling it at all times. The race of a champion who isn't the champion yet, but exceptional," Wolff said.

Russell must win the next race in Mexico City to stay in contention for the title. If he finishes second or lower, the championship will be decided for Antonelli. The Italian driver said he is aware the title is close but plans to keep his mindset unchanged. "I want to finish the season on a high, to go into 2027 with high hopes," Antonelli said. He acknowledged that his win at Monza from the back of the grid was special, but he viewed Sunday's execution as superior due to the team's performance build-up.