Antonelli Wins US Grand Prix, Needs Two More Points to Seal F1 Title

Kimi Antonelli moved within touching distance of the Formula One world championship after securing victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, leaving him just two points away from clinching his maiden drivers’ title.

The 20-year-old Italian delivered a commanding performance for Mercedes at the Circuit of the Americas, finishing ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen to strengthen his position at the top of the championship standings.

According to Reuters and Formula One’s official website, Antonelli started from pole position and maintained his advantage through a race shaped by tyre strategy, opening-lap battles and struggles among his closest rivals.

The victory was Antonelli’s ninth Grand Prix win of the season and put him on 365 points, extending his lead over Mercedes teammate George Russell to 123 points. Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton sits third in the standings, 124 points behind the championship leader.

Antonelli had an opportunity to secure the championship in Austin but needed additional results from his rivals to go his way. Russell finished eighth, while Hamilton crossed the line in fourth, keeping the title mathematically undecided.

The Italian can now secure the championship at next weekend’s Mexican Grand Prix by finishing ninth or higher, regardless of Russell’s result. The achievement would make him Formula One’s youngest-ever world champion.

Speaking after the race, Antonelli credited Mercedes for its strategy and teamwork, saying the victory was the result the team needed after working hard to improve its car.

He added that he hoped to clinch the championship soon but remained focused on finishing the season strongly rather than celebrating prematurely.

Leclerc finished second for Ferrari after challenging for position during the opening stages. Verstappen completed the podium in third, although the Red Bull driver expressed frustration with his car’s pace and the team’s tyre strategy.

Hamilton’s fourth-place finish helped postpone Antonelli’s championship celebrations, while reigning champion Lando Norris finished fifth for McLaren. Oscar Piastri came home seventh after struggling to match the leading cars’ pace.

Russell endured a difficult afternoon, including a five-second penalty after stewards ruled that he had gained an advantage by leaving the track during his battle with Piastri. The Mercedes driver finished eighth, unable to keep pace with his teammate.

Formula One’s official race review also highlighted Red Bull’s strategic difficulties and McLaren’s lack of competitiveness, with both teams losing ground to Mercedes during the race.

With five Grands Prix remaining in the season, Antonelli holds a commanding points advantage. Two more points would be enough to eliminate Russell from the championship contest, while one point would place Hamilton beyond reach.

The championship could therefore be decided in Mexico City next weekend, where Antonelli will have his first opportunity to turn his remarkable second season in Formula One into a historic title triumph.