Antonelli closes in on F1 title with dominant US Grand Prix win

Kimi Antonelli moved to the brink of the Formula 1 drivers’ title with a dominant United States Grand Prix victory, but will have to wait until next weekend’s race in Mexico City to secure the championship.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver leads the standings by enough that only a win for team-mate George Russell or Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton in Mexico can prevent him from clinching the title there. Even then, Antonelli would be champion if he finished ninth or higher against Russell, or 10th or higher against Hamilton.

Antonelli won in Austin while Russell finished eighth and Hamilton fourth — just enough to keep the contest alive. Russell also had a five-second penalty.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff called it Antonelli’s best performance so far, describing it as “the race of a champion who isn’t the champion yet”. He also said Antonelli had “outperformed the car”.

The praise came after a weekend in which Mercedes ran an upgrade package that Wolff said was difficult to operate. Antonelli took pole and controlled the race, while Russell struggled to pass McLaren’s Oscar Piastri. Wolff said Antonelli’s driving style suited the car, while Russell had struggled with its narrow operating window.

Antonelli said his victory at Monza, where he won from 19th on the grid, remained special. But he judged the Austin performance stronger in execution, saying the team had built up its pace throughout the weekend.

If he wins the title, Antonelli will become the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 and the youngest world champion, beating Sebastian Vettel’s 2010 record by more than three years. McLaren team principal Andrea Stella praised Antonelli’s ability to drive aggressively while still bringing home results.

Antonelli said he would approach the Mexico weekend with the same mindset, aiming to enjoy himself and fight for another win.