Antonelli's Austin Win Forces Russell Into Make-or-Break Mexico Race
The 20-year-old's strategic gamble extended his championship lead to 123 points, leaving his Mercedes teammate with only one path to stay in the title fight.
By Hassan Lawson ·
Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, a result that puts the championship outcome in the hands of his teammate. The 20-year-old Italian's victory widens his lead over George Russell to 123 points with five races remaining in the season. Unless Russell wins the next event in Mexico City, the title is mathematically over for the Mercedes duo.
Starting from pole position, Antonelli completed the 56-lap race at the Circuit of the Americas in 1:35:16.650. Charles Leclerc of Monaco finished second, 13.078 seconds behind the leader. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing took the podium, finishing 17.485 seconds after the winner.
The decisive factor was pit strategy. Most teams executed two pit stops, but Mercedes kept Antonelli out until Lap 25. He made a single stop and stayed on track for the remaining 31 laps. Antonelli credited the team for trusting the approach, calling it a perfect way to end the weekend.
A Virtual Safety Car triggered on Lap 52 when Valtteri Bottas's Cadillac stopped on the track. The caution remained active until the penultimate lap. By that time, no driver was close enough to challenge Antonelli for the lead. Verstappen acknowledged that the timing of the caution helped preserve his third-place finish.
Verstappen, who won four consecutive titles from 2021 to 2024, is now out of the championship race. He admitted his team's pace was not good enough and that the available tires were not the right choice. He will go two years without a world championship.
Mercedes extended its lead in the constructors' standings to 133 points over Ferrari. Mercedes holds 607 points, while Ferrari has 474. Team boss Toto Wolff called it Antonelli's best race to date, praising the driver's control after starting on the inferior tire compound.
Antonelli noted that securing the championship is close, but his mindset has not changed. He aims to finish the season on a high note and enter 2027 with high hopes. The next race is scheduled for November in Las Vegas.
Source: Al Jazeera
