Antonelli converts Austin pole into ninth win as title stays open

Kimi Antonelli converted pole position into a controlled United States Grand Prix victory on Sunday, beating Charles Leclerc by 13.078 seconds in Austin. Max Verstappen finished third. It was Antonelli’s ninth Grand Prix win of 2026, but not the title-clincher.

Antonelli held the lead at the start as Verstappen’s poor launch left him behind the Ferrari pair. Leclerc briefly moved into second before Verstappen reclaimed the place before the end of lap one. An early Virtual Safety Car to clear debris did little to narrow Antonelli’s advantage: he was nearly three seconds ahead of Verstappen by lap 10.

Mercedes started Antonelli on medium tyres and kept him out until the end of lap 24, then fitted hards for the run to the flag. He rejoined fourth, just ahead of Hamilton. After Verstappen’s second stop briefly put Leclerc in front, Antonelli passed the Ferrari to reclaim the lead. Many rivals stopped twice; Antonelli needed only one stop.

Verstappen passed Lando Norris on lap 47, but Leclerc got by Norris and then the Red Bull for second. Hamilton also moved ahead of Norris, who finished fifth.

Antonelli needed a win, George Russell ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton outside the top four to clinch the title in Austin. He got the victory, but Russell finished eighth and Hamilton fourth; the championship remains open.