US Grand Prix 2026: Antonelli Can Clinch F1 Title at Austin on Sunday

Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes at the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix — file photo

Formula 1's 20-year-old sensation Kimi Antonelli can be crowned world champion as early as Sunday's United States Grand Prix in Austin — and become the youngest title winner in the sport's history. The Mercedes driver arrives at the Circuit of the Americas with a commanding 102-point lead in the drivers' championship.

Antonelli has 340 points after 17 rounds, ahead of teammate George Russell on 238 and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton on 229. To seal the crown in Texas, he must win the race while Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton fifth or lower — a combination that would put him 125 points clear with only 125 left to play for across the final five rounds in Mexico, Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Even a tie would go his way on countback, since a ninth win of the season would beat Russell's maximum possible eight.

Standing in his way is Max Verstappen, who has won the last two Grands Prix and four times at Austin. The race starts Sunday at 3 p.m. local time (1 a.m. Monday in Pakistan).

Source: read more

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Fairbairn's Walk-Off Field Goal Seals Wembley Thriller as Texans Edge Jaguars 34-31

Anthropic IPO: Public S-1 Filing Expected Today Ahead of $2 Trillion Listing

Netflix Beats Earnings but Slashes Ad Forecast — Stock Tumbles After Hours