NewsWPLG Local 10October 25, 2026Miami-Dade County
Kimi Antonelli wins the US Grand Prix to close in on Formula 1 title
Photo: WPLG Local 10
Kimi Antonelli secured a dominant pole-to-flag victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, marking his ninth win of the season and putting him on the verge of the Formula 1 drivers' championship. He leads George Russell by 123 points and Lewis Hamilton by 124 points with 125 points remaining across the final five races. Charles Leclerc finished second and Max Verstappen finished third.
Read the full story at WPLG Local 10Why It Matters
The 20-year-old driver is positioned to become the youngest champion in Formula 1 history and the first Italian to win the drivers' championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953.
Key Facts
- Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, from pole position for his ninth victory of the season.
- Charles Leclerc finished second and Max Verstappen finished third in the race.
- Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and George Russell finished eighth, extending the championship battle by at least one week.
- Antonelli leads George Russell by 123 points and Lewis Hamilton by 124 points with 125 points remaining over five races.
- Antonelli can clinch the championship at the upcoming Mexico City Grand Prix if he finishes ahead of Russell and Hamilton, or under several other scoring scenarios.
- Under Texas law, Antonelli is 20 years old and below the legal drinking age of 21, preventing him from consuming victory champagne on the podium.
Who's Mentioned
PersonGeorge Russell“Mercedes driver who finished eighth”PersonLewis Hamilton“Ferrari driver who finished fourth”PersonToto Wolff“Mercedes team boss”PersonCharles Leclerc“Ferrari driver who finished second”locationTexas“State where the race took place and where the legal drinking age is 21”locationBrazil“Location of a future grand prix”locationMexico City“Location of the next grand prix”PersonKimi Antonelli“Mercedes driver who won the US Grand Prix”PersonVerstappen“Red Bull driver who finished third”locationAustin“Host city of the US Grand Prix”PersonAlberto Ascari“Last Italian driver to win the championship in 1953”