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Antonelli wins US Grand Prix to move two points from the title

Kimi Antonelli led from pole to win his ninth race of 2026 and can become Formula 1's youngest world champion in Mexico on Sunday.

Kimi Antonelli's Mercedes at speed during qualifying at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix
Kimi Antonelli in qualifying at the 2026 Chinese Grand Prix. Photo: Liauzh, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Kimi Antonelli is one good Sunday away from becoming Formula 1's youngest world champion.

The 20-year-old Mercedes driver won the United States Grand Prix in Austin from pole position, crossing the line 13.078 seconds clear of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. It was his ninth victory of the season.

Max Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull, ahead of Lewis Hamilton and Lando Norris.

Two points in Mexico

The win leaves Antonelli 123 points ahead of team-mate George Russell and 124 clear of Hamilton, with five rounds and 125 points still to play for.

By Autosport's calculations, two points at the Mexico City Grand Prix on Sunday will be enough to seal the title.

That would make Antonelli champion at 20, breaking the record Sebastian Vettel set when he won the 2010 title at 23.

Trouble behind

Verstappen was hampered by an engine-braking problem and described his Red Bull as "undriveable".

Russell, who finished eighth, was handed a five-second penalty for leaving the track while defending on the opening lap. Oliver Bearman was given a 10-second penalty for a first-lap clash with Pierre Gasly and later retired.

What happens next

The Mexico City Grand Prix starts at 2pm local time on Sunday 1 November, which is 1:30am on Monday in India.

If the title is still open after that, the season moves on to São Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Race it on Late Brake

Interlagos, home of the São Paulo Grand Prix, is one of six real circuits in Late Brake, the free racing game you play in your browser. Set a lap, race your own ghost and see if you can beat the gold medal time of 1:17.

Sources: Autosport race report, Autosport on the title maths, The Race, The Race on the Mexico schedule