Kimi Antonelli wins United States Grand Prix but must wait for F1 title

Summary

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Red Bull's Max Verstappen, but did not clinch his first Formula One drivers' championship. The 20-year-old Italian, the championship leader, was described by Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff as taking "one small step" toward the title. He is two points ahead and needs only two points at the Mexican Grand Prix in Mexico City to be sure of it, according to The Japan Times, even if George Russell wins. The Guardian puts it differently, saying he would take the title by finishing ninth or better. Russell finished eighth and Lewis Hamilton fourth. Lance Stroll was moved to start from the pit lane after setup changes.

Timeline

1. The Guardian

   25 Oct 2026, 22:00 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian's live blog reports that Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix, that Stroll would start from the pit lane after setup changes, and that Antonelli can clinch the title if he wins and Russell finishes outside the top eight while Hamilton finishes outside the top four.

2. The Guardian

   25 Oct 2026, 22:21 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Antonelli beat Leclerc and Verstappen to win the US Grand Prix, could not seal the title in Texas, and is almost certain to seal the championship at the next round in Mexico.

3. The Guardian

   25 Oct 2026, 22:33 UTCSource ↗

   The Guardian reports that Antonelli is two points from the title after his dominant US Grand Prix win, with Russell finishing eighth and Hamilton fourth, and that he will take the title if he finishes ninth or better in Mexico City.

4. ABC

   26 Oct 2026, 00:27 UTCSource ↗

   ABC reports that Antonelli is two points away from the F1 title, that next weekend's Mexican Grand Prix shapes up as his coronation, and sets out how he can seal the world title.

5. The Japan Times

   26 Oct 2026, 04:59 UTCSource ↗

   The Japan Times reports that Antonelli won in Texas to move to the brink of the Formula One title and needs to score only two points in Mexico City to be sure of it, even if rival George Russell wins.

6. Al Jazeera

   26 Oct 2026, 08:26 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that the 20-year-old Mercedes driver can win the championship in Mexico next week if his teammate Russell does not win the race.