The Mercedes driver heads to the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1 with 365 points and a 123-point lead over Russell.
Italian driver Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, on Sunday, October 25, and heads to the Mexico City Grand Prix with 365 points, where he could clinch his first Formula 1 world championship. He did not clinch in Austin because his two closest rivals scored enough points.
How the race went in Austin
According to the official Formula 1 standings, Antonelli crossed the line after 56 laps in 1:35:16.650. He finished 13.078 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) in second and 17.485 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen (Red Bull) in third. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari) was fourth and Lando Norris (McLaren) fifth.
According to the official series report, Antonelli started from pole, ran the race with a single pit stop on medium and hard tires, and earned his ninth win of the season.
The same report notes that George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, received a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage after touching wheels with Oscar Piastri of McLaren. He served it during his pit stop and finished eighth.
Why the title was not decided
According to the Formula 1 report, Antonelli needed to win, Russell to finish ninth or lower, and Hamilton to finish outside the top four. He won, but Russell was eighth and Hamilton fourth, so the championship was postponed by one race.
In the driver standings, Antonelli has 365 points; Russell, 242; Hamilton, 241; Verstappen, 236, and Leclerc, 233. His lead over Russell is 123 points and over Hamilton, 124.
What he needs in Mexico
He official calendar places the Mexico City Grand Prix from October 30 to November 1 at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez. It is round 19 of 23, followed by São Paulo (November 6–8), Las Vegas (November 19–21), Qatar (November 27–29) and Abu Dhabi (December 4–6).
The Formula 1 pages consulted do not state how many points Antonelli needs in Mexico. Sports media estimate that finishing in the top nine would be enough; that calculation has not been confirmed by the series. What can be verified is his lead of 123 and 124 points, and that the outcome depends on what happens on November 1.
Spanish-speaking drivers in Austin
According to the official classification, Fernando Alonso (Aston Martin) finished 16th, Carlos Sainz (Williams) 18th and Mexican driver Sergio Pérez (Cadillac) 19th. Argentine driver Franco Colapinto (Alpine) did not finish, retiring on lap 35.
What does it mean to you?
- The title could be decided on Sunday, November 1, in Mexico City, the season’s 19th race.
- If it is not decided there, four more races would remain: Brazil, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi.
- Check schedules and broadcast details on the official Formula 1 website and with your TV or streaming provider.
