Antonelli on Verge of F1 Title at Mexico GP After Dominant Austin Win

Kimi Antonelli dominated the United States Grand Prix from pole position in Austin, securing his ninth win of the 2026 Formula 1 season and arriving in Mexico City with the drivers' title almost in hand. The 20-year-old Italian, who drives for Mercedes, now leads George Russell by 123 points and Lewis Hamilton by 124, with 125 points still available across five remaining rounds: Mexico, Sao Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.

Three former contenders — Max Verstappen, Charles Leclerc and Lando Norris — were mathematically eliminated in Austin after finishing third, second and fifth respectively, leaving only Russell and Hamilton able to deny Antonelli the crown.

For either rival to keep their slim hopes alive beyond Mexico City, they would need a victory combined with a very poor result from Antonelli. Russell must win the race with Antonelli finishing no higher than 10th, while Hamilton must also win but with Antonelli failing to score any points at all. After Mexico, just 100 points will remain on the table, and because Antonelli leads the season's win tally by a comfortable margin, any rival still within 99 points would fall short even on countback.

A title in Mexico City would make Antonelli Formula 1's youngest ever world champion.