Antonelli dominates United States GP as F1 2026 title moves within reach

Austin, Texas — Kimi Antonelli controlled the United States Grand Prix from pole and won by 13 seconds over Charles Leclerc, moving to the brink of his first Formula 1 world title. The Mercedes driver, 20, needs two points at next weekend's Mexico Grand Prix to become the youngest champion in F1 history. The race at Circuit of the Americas was shaped by strategy rather than a single overtake. Max Verstappen started second but lost out early to Leclerc, who had already passed Isack Hadjar and then swept by the Red Bull through the Esses. Lewis Hamilton, on used softs, also passed Hadjar, while George Russell received a five-second penalty for leaving the track on lap one. McLaren ordered Oscar Piastri to let Lando Norris through on lap eight. At the front, Antonelli held a narrow three-second lead over Verstappen. Red Bull responded on lap 14 by bringing Verstappen in for a second set of softs, committing to a two-stop race. Mercedes stayed out, keeping Antonelli on a one-stop plan. When Hamilton, Leclerc and the McLarens pitted, Antonelli briefly led Hadjar and Russell before making his only stop on lap 25, switching from mediums to hards. Verstappen's challenge unraveled when engine-braking problems made the Red Bull 'undriveable'. He pitted again on lap 32 for mediums, dropping to fifth, 18 seconds behind Antonelli. Ferrari ran Leclerc and Hamilton long before switching to hards in the final third. The fresher tyres gave Leclerc late pace, but he first had to deal with traffic and with Verstappen's fight against Norris. On lap 47, Verstappen lunged inside Norris at Turn 1 to take second. Leclerc followed through, then used his fresher tyres to pass Verstappen on the back straight on lap 49. Antonelli was already 13 seconds clear. Hamilton took fourth from Norris on lap 51, keeping his mathematical title hopes alive for another week. Hadjar finished sixth ahead of Piastri, who held off Russell. Lawson was ninth and Gasly took the final point. Bearman retired after first-lap damage from contact with Gasly, for which he received a 10-second penalty and caused a brief VSC. Colapinto also retired, while Bottas stopped late with engine trouble, triggering a second VSC. Antonelli's ninth win of 2026 was not a show of raw speed alone. Mercedes refused Red Bull's two-stop bait, accepted a slower hard-tyre phase and protected track position. The result leaves the championship on the verge of being settled in Mexico, where Antonelli must avoid contact, penalties and unnecessary risk.