Formula One F1 - United States Grand Prix - Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, U.S. - October 25, 2026 Mercedes' Andrea Kimi Antonelli celebrates with the trophy on the podium after winning the United States Grand Prix REUTERS/Mike Segar Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters
With a calm assurance that belies his tender years, Kimi Antonelli delivered another masterclass at the US Grand Prix, ensuring that while he could not quite seal the Formula One world championship in the Texas sunshine, it is a coronation that is surely only delayed for a week. The 20-year-old has made it almost a formality that he will seal the deal at the next round in Mexico.
Antonelli’s dominant victory in Austin at the Circuit of the Americas, with a controlled and composed drive to beat the Ferrari of Charles Leclerc into second place and the Red Bull of Max Verstappen into third, was described by the Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff as “one small step” toward the title in what has been a season of giant leaps for the Italian.
