Antonelli Claims Austin Victory to Reach 123 Point Title Lead
The 20-year-old Italian secured his ninth win of the season with a one-stop strategy, leaving his rival needing a podium finish in Mexico City to stay in the championship race.
By Claire Herrera ·
Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas, extending his lead in the Formula One drivers' championship to 123 points. The 20-year-old Italian recorded a time of 1:35:16.650 across 56 laps, finishing 13.078 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc of Monaco. This result marks Antonelli's ninth victory of the season and solidifies his position as the front-runner for the title.
The outcome hinges on a single strategic decision that distinguished Antonelli's run from the rest of the field. While most competitors executed two pit stops, Antonelli waited until Lap 25 to make his only stop. This approach allowed him to manage tire degradation without returning to the pits, a move his team credited with securing the win.
George Russell of Great Britain, Antonelli's Mercedes teammate, now sits 123 points behind in the standings. With five races remaining on the schedule, Russell must finish first in the next event in Mexico City to remain mathematically competitive. If he finishes second or lower, Antonelli will be crowned world champion regardless of the remaining results.
Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing took third place, finishing 17.485 seconds behind the winner. The four-time champion is now eliminated from title contention and will spend two years without a world title. Verstappen attributed the gap to tire performance and noted that a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 52 may have aided his final position.
The Virtual Safety Car was triggered when Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac stopped on the track on Lap 52. It remained active until the penultimate lap, preventing any late-race challenges to Antonelli's lead. Mercedes also widened its advantage in the constructors' championship, holding 607 points compared to Ferrari's 474.
Team principal Toto Wolff described the performance as the best race Antonelli has produced this year. Wolff highlighted how Antonelli managed the start with inferior tires and controlled the car throughout the distance. Antonelli acknowledged the proximity of the title but stated his focus remains on finishing the season strongly to enter 2027 with high expectations.
Antonelli has now won both United States races on this year's calendar, following a streak of five consecutive victories earlier in the season. The next major event is the Las Vegas Grand Prix in November. The championship race continues with the Mexican Grand Prix, where Russell requires a win to keep his title hopes alive.
Source: Al Jazeera
