Kimi Antonelli wins US Grand Prix in Austin, needs only top-nine finish in Mexico to seal F1 title

Andrea Kimi Antonelli moved to the brink of his first Formula 1 world championship with a commanding victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin on Sunday, October 25.

The Mercedes driver started from pole position, led into the first corner and finished 13 seconds ahead of Ferrari's Charles Leclerc. Red Bull's Max Verstappen completed the podium, with Lewis Hamilton fourth for Ferrari. Lando Norris, Isack Hadjar, Oscar Piastri, George Russell, Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly rounded out the top ten.

Strategy pays off

Antonelli won on a one-stop strategy. Red Bull brought Verstappen in early, on lap 13, while Mercedes kept their leader out until lap 24 before switching him to hard tyres. Antonelli was back in front by lap 32 and controlled the race from there. Leclerc passed Verstappen for second with seven laps remaining.

Russell's race was compromised by a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage by leaving the track while battling Piastri on the opening lap, and he finished eighth. Antonelli called it the result the team needed and said the title was now very close.

Title maths

The win takes Antonelli to 365 points, 123 clear of team-mate Russell and 124 ahead of Hamilton, with 125 points still available. A finish of ninth or better at the Mexico City Grand Prix, which runs from October 30 to November 1, would guarantee him the championship with four rounds to spare. Even if he fails to score, he would still clinch the title unless Russell or Hamilton wins the race.

Antonelli, who turned 20 in August, is in only his second season in Formula 1.

For Indian fans

Because of the time difference, the Mexico City race will finish in the early hours of Monday, November 2, India time, so Indian fans hoping to watch a possible title-clinching moment live will need to stay up late.