The championship trophy will have to wait, but the dominance did not. Kimi Antonelli put on another commanding performance in Texas.
Kimi Antonelli won the U.S. Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, by more than 15 seconds, but results behind him kept him from clinching his first Formula 1 world title.
Why didn’t Antonelli clinch the title at the U.S. Grand Prix?
He needed to win while Mercedes teammate George Russell finished ninth or lower and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished fifth or lower. Antonelli delivered his part, but Hamilton finished fourth and Russell finished eighth. Antonelli entered the weekend knowing he had only a slim chance of wrapping up the title in Texas.
Russell’s U.S. Grand Prix was hurt by a penalty of five seconds for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while battling Oscar Piastri, with the two touching wheels as Russell rejoined. Russell pitted and served the penalty on Lap 24, rejoining in eighth.
What does Antonelli need in Mexico City?
He heads to Mexico City next week with a lead of 123 points over Russell, with Hamilton one point further back. Finishing ninth or better will seal the title no matter where his rivals finish. Even a modest result would be enough, giving him plenty of margin for error.
The U.S. Grand Prix win was his ninth of the season, and he celebrated by leaping into the arms of his mechanics.
How did Antonelli win the U.S. Grand Prix?
He started from pole after a strong qualifying session Saturday, when Hamilton qualified fifth and Russell sixth. Antonelli pulled away at the start and led by 2.4 seconds after the opening lap.
Behind him, Charles Leclerc made a fast start for Ferrari and passed both Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar. Verstappen fought back to reclaim second. Hamilton climbed to fourth, and the two Ferraris raced side by side before Leclerc made a bold move on Verstappen.
Mercedes chose a single pit stop for Antonelli, who started on more durable medium tires. When rivals pitted early, he stayed out, then stopped on Lap 25 and rejoined on much fresher tires. The decision to run long on the first set proved decisive.
He passed Leclerc to retake the lead after Verstappen made a second stop with 25 laps remaining, then cruised to the finish.
Antonelli said it was the result the team needed and praised its perfect strategy and the new package of upgrades it brought to the car. The title is very close, he said, and he hopes to clinch it soon. He said the team wants to finish the season strongly.
How did the rest of the field finish?
Leclerc finished second for the second straight week, making a late pass on Verstappen, who completed the podium. Hamilton was fourth after passing Hadjar and reigning champion Lando Norris late in the race.
Norris made a single stop work to finish fifth for McLaren. Verstappen, who has four world titles, said this week he was taking painkillers to cope with the bumpy Austin track. Hadjar faded after an early stop and dropped out of the top five.
What does the U.S. Grand Prix result mean for Antonelli?
It puts the Italian on the brink of history. Antonelli has been the standout driver of 2026, and his U.S. Grand Prix win was another reminder of his control over the season.
Norris is set to give up the crown he won last year. Antonelli, still a teenager when he entered F1, has grown into the sport’s leading driver.
After the U.S. Grand Prix, all eyes turn to Mexico City, where Antonelli can finally finish the job.
