Antonelli Dominates Austin to Claim Ninth Victory of 2026
Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli delivered another commanding performance at the 2026 United States Grand Prix, winning at Circuit of The Americas on Sunday, 25 October, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen.
Starting from pole position, the 20-year-old Italian controlled the 56-lap race to secure his ninth Grand Prix victory of the season.
Antonelli executed a successful one-stop strategy, extending his opening stint on medium tyres before switching to the hard compound.
While several rivals opted for two pit stops, the Mercedes driver maintained his advantage and crossed the finish line 13.078 seconds ahead of Leclerc.
Verstappen completed the podium, finishing 17.485 seconds behind the race winner.
The result strengthened Antonelli's championship lead, although he narrowly missed the opportunity to secure his maiden Formula 1 World Championship in Austin.
Nine victories. One dominant season. Two points away from history.
Ferrari Fights Back as Leclerc Secures P2 and Hamilton Finishes P4
Ferrari emerged as one of the strongest performers during the Austin weekend, with both drivers finishing inside the top four.
Charles Leclerc secured second place, overtaking Verstappen during the closing stages to claim his second consecutive runner-up finish.
The Monegasque driver demonstrated strong race pace and tyre management, allowing him to challenge Red Bull despite starting behind Verstappen.
Meanwhile, Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, just 1.030 seconds behind the Dutchman.
The double top-four result provided Ferrari with 30 championship points, strengthening its position in the Constructors' Championship.
Ferrari now sits second with 474 points, although Mercedes remains comfortably ahead on 607.
The performance suggests Ferrari could remain a significant challenger during the final five races of the season.
Verstappen's Winning Streak Ends as Red Bull Faces Austin Challenges
After consecutive victories in Malaysia and Singapore, Max Verstappen entered Austin targeting a third straight Formula 1 win.
The four-time World Champion qualified second, just 0.179 seconds behind Antonelli.
However, a difficult start allowed Antonelli to establish an early advantage, while Verstappen became involved in battles with the Ferrari drivers.
The Red Bull driver also experienced handling and power-unit-related difficulties throughout the race.
Despite those challenges, Verstappen secured third place and another valuable podium finish.
Teammate Isack Hadjar finished sixth, giving Red Bull a combined 23 points.
The result leaves Red Bull level with McLaren on 355 points in the Constructors' Championship.
With five rounds remaining, their battle for third place is becoming increasingly competitive.
McLaren Struggles to Match Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull
McLaren endured a relatively disappointing United States Grand Prix, with neither driver able to challenge for the podium.
Lando Norris finished fifth, while teammate Oscar Piastri crossed the line in seventh.
Norris struggled with tyre degradation during the closing stages, losing the opportunity to fight for a top-three finish.
The result continued McLaren's difficult run as Mercedes, Ferrari and Red Bull demonstrated stronger performance at the front.
Although McLaren remains firmly involved in the Constructors' Championship battle, the team will need improved competitiveness to defend its position against Red Bull.
United States Grand Prix 2026 — Top 10 Results
George Russell endured a challenging race, finishing eighth after struggling for pace and receiving a five-second penalty.
Meanwhile, Liam Lawson secured valuable points for Racing Bulls, while Pierre Gasly claimed the final point for Alpine.
Antonelli Could Become F1's Youngest World Champion in Mexico
Despite winning in Austin, Antonelli was unable to secure the championship because Russell and Hamilton finished high enough to keep their mathematical chances alive.
However, the Mercedes driver now holds an enormous advantage heading into the Mexico City Grand Prix on 30 October–1 November.
F1 Drivers' Championship Standings After Austin
Antonelli leads Russell by 123 points, with Hamilton a further point behind.
With five Grands Prix remaining, Antonelli needs only a ninth-place finish or better in Mexico City to guarantee the championship, regardless of his rivals' results.
If successful, he would become the youngest Formula 1 World Champion in history, surpassing Sebastian Vettel's record from 2010.
He would also become the first Italian driver to win the championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Mexico City Grand Prix Sets Up Potential Championship Celebration
For Winbox Racing, the United States Grand Prix highlighted the intensity of Formula 1's closing championship battles.
Antonelli's dominant performance demonstrated Mercedes' strength, while Ferrari's double top-four finish showed that the Italian manufacturer remains a serious contender.
Red Bull and McLaren are also preparing for an increasingly close fight in the Constructors' Championship.
With the next race taking place at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, the focus will be on whether Antonelli can finally secure his first World Championship.
Antonelli dominates. Ferrari fights back. Verstappen takes the podium.
Next stop: Mexico City — where Formula 1 history could be made.
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