Kimi Antonelli carries nine-win season into F1 title shot at Mexico GP

Mercedes driver can clinch as F1's youngest world champion.

Wire Report IntelligenceUpdated 1h2 min read

Photo via @autosport on X

What happened: After crediting a reworked Malaysia upgrade for his United States Grand Prix pole, Kimi Antonelli started on medium tires and ran a one-stop strategy to win Sunday's 56-lap race at Circuit of the Americas. The 20-year-old Italian pitted for hard tires on Lap 25 and retook the lead to extend his advantage atop the 2026 Drivers' Championship.

Why it matters: Although Antonelli met his own victory requirement in Texas, his two remaining championship pursuers finished high enough in Sunday's classification to keep the mathematical title race alive beyond Austin. Leaving Circuit of the Americas with nine wins on the season keeps the Mercedes driver in position to secure the crown with rounds to spare.

By the numbers: Formula 1's pre-race clinching scenarios at Circuit of the Americas required an Antonelli P1 finish combined with results of P5 or lower and P9 or lower from his two closest title rivals, who instead crossed the line in P4 and P8.

What to watch: The 2026 schedule continues with the second leg of the autumn triple-header at the Mexico Grand Prix, where Antonelli gets his next opportunity to seal the championship.

Sources

@autosport 2026-10-25T22:35:50.112647+00:00

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