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Antonelli moves toward F1 title after US Grand Prix win

BBC News reports Antonelli's Austin win leaves him close to the Formula 1 title, which depends on the Mexico City race.

Updated Oct 26, 2026 · 06:23 UTC1 reports

The short version

  • Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, with George Russell eighth and Lewis Hamilton fourth.[BBC News]
  • Mercedes team boss Toto Wolff called it the best race Antonelli has delivered so far and said he outperformed the car.[BBC News]
  • Antonelli's points lead means only a Russell or Hamilton win in Mexico City could stop him clinching the title.[BBC News]
  • A title would make him the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953 and the youngest winner of the championship, according to BBC News reporting.[BBC News]

Key facts

  • Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, extending his lead in the championship points.[BBC News]
  • George Russell finished eighth and Lewis Hamilton finished fourth in the United States Grand Prix.[BBC News]
  • Antonelli is far enough ahead in points that only a win by Russell or Hamilton in Mexico City could prevent him winning the title.[BBC News]
  • Toto Wolff said the Austin win was the best Antonelli has delivered so far.[BBC News]
  • If Antonelli clinches the title, he would be the first Italian world champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953.[BBC News]
  • Antonelli would beat Sebastian Vettel's 2010 record as the youngest winner of the championship by more than three years.[BBC News]
  • McLaren team principal Andrea Stella said seeing an Italian achieve this level of performance in Formula 1 is particularly thrilling.[BBC News]

What remains uncertain

  • The championship is not confirmed until the Mexico City race, since the outcome depends on that result.[BBC News]
  • Wolff's estimate that the Malaysia upgrade made the car 0.3 seconds per lap slower is his own assessment and is not independently verified in the reporting.[BBC News]
  • All details come from a single outlet, BBC News, so they have not been independently corroborated.[BBC News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.