Antonelli Takes Austin to Lead F1 by 123

Kimi Antonelli holds a 123-point lead in the Formula One drivers' championship after winning the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas. The 20-year-old Italian secured his ninth victory of the season on Sunday at the Circuit of the Americas. He finished the 56-lap race in 1:35:16.650, starting from pole position. Charles Leclerc of Monaco finished second, 13.078 seconds behind the winner.

Antonelli's strategy proved decisive in the race. While other teams made two pit stops, Antonelli stayed out until Lap 25. He made a single stop and did not return to the pit lane. The driver described the result as an incredible team effort, specifically praising the strategy team for believing in the one-stop plan. Toto Wolff, the Mercedes team boss, called it the best race Antonelli has produced so far. He noted that Antonelli controlled the race despite starting on the inferior tire.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing completed the podium, finishing 17.485 seconds behind Antonelli. The four-time champion is now mathematically out of the title fight. Verstappen said the team's overall pace was not good enough and that the available tires were not the right ones. He added that a Virtual Safety Car on Lap 52 may have helped him secure the podium position. The VSC was triggered when Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac stopped on the track. It remained in effect until the penultimate lap.

With five races remaining, George Russell of Great Britain must win the next race in Mexico City to stay in contention. If Russell does not win, the championship will go to Antonelli. The Mercedes driver has won both United States races on the calendar this year. A Las Vegas Grand Prix is scheduled for November. Antonelli said he is aware the title is close but that his mindset does not change. He wants to finish the season on a high note and enter 2027 with high hopes.

Mercedes also extended its lead in the constructors' standings. The team now holds 607 points, which is 133 points more than Ferrari's 474. Wolff said Antonelli has outperformed the car and that his driving style suits the vehicle well. The team boss recalled Antonelli's other standout wins, including his home race at Monza from the back of the grid. Antonelli agreed that Monza was special because the car was clearly the fastest. However, he said the execution in Austin was probably better given how the team built performance across the weekend.