Sports · Motorsport · 45 mins ago
Antonelli starts from pole with first F1 title within reach in Austin
Kimi Antonelli starts from pole at the US Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday.
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver can clinch his first Formula 1 title if he wins, George Russell finishes ninth or lower, and Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.
Antonelli leads Russell by 102 points and Hamilton by 111, with five races remaining after Austin.
He has won eight of the 17 races so far, and a title would make him Formula 1’s youngest world champion.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says a win is not realistic because he does not think the team has the fastest race pace.
Antonelli says he will focus on trying to win, while Max Verstappen says the title could be settled in Austin or at a later race.
If Antonelli does not clinch it in Texas, the next opportunity is the following weekend in Mexico City.
Kimi Antonelli starts from pole position at the United States Grand Prix in Austin with a chance to clinch his first Formula 1 drivers’ title.
He must win the race, with Lewis Hamilton finishing fifth or lower and George Russell ninth or lower, to secure the championship on Sunday.
Antonelli is 102 points ahead of Russell and 111 ahead of Hamilton, with five rounds remaining after Austin.
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff says a win is not realistic because he does not believe the team has the fastest race pace.
Antonelli says he will focus on trying to win and take the race one step at a time.
- Who
- Kimi Antonelli, the Mercedes driver, could clinch the 2026 Formula 1 drivers’ championship.
- What
- He has his first chance to secure the title at the United States Grand Prix. He needs to win, with Hamilton fifth or lower and Russell ninth or lower.
- When
- Sunday, 25 October 2026.
- Where
- Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
- Why
- Antonelli leads the championship by enough to become champion with five rounds still to come if the required race results occur.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Antonelli finished third and extended his championship lead over Russell to 102 points.
Antonelli took pole position in qualifying at the Circuit of the Americas.
Antonelli is due to race in Austin with his first opportunity to clinch the title.
- Championship lead over George Russell
- 102 points
- Championship lead over Lewis Hamilton
- 111 points
- Antonelli's starting position
- Pole
- Title-clinching result
- Antonelli win, Hamilton fifth or lower, Russell ninth or lower
- Rounds remaining after Austin
- 5
44 sources
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What people are saying
I don't think we are quickest in the race, so it's about scoring points and eventually, hopefully, winning.
The goal stays the same. I just need to keep doing my job, and actually, I feel like I can enjoy the driving and everything more.
It does feel a little bit different. But the goal stays the same. I just need to keep doing my job.
He doesn't need that. He knows what he's doing. He just needs to try and win the race.