123-point lead puts kimi antonelli close to championship after dominating us grand prix

Antonelli strengthens his lead

The 20-year-old Italian took another step toward his first Formula One championship with victory at the United States Grand Prix. He now leads Russell by 123 points, with five races left in the season.

Antonelli said his approach would remain unchanged despite the title moving closer. He said he wanted to finish the season strongly and enter 2027 with high hopes.

Mercedes strategy delivers

Antonelli praised the team’s strategy, particularly its decision to pursue a one-stop race. He described the result as a team effort and said the strategy team had believed in the plan.

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff praised Antonelli’s race execution. He said the team built performance throughout the weekend and called the result better in execution than Antonelli’s earlier wins at Monza, Monaco and Spa.

Verstappen takes third place

Red Bull driver Max Verstappen finished third, 17.485 seconds behind Antonelli. The four-time champion has been mathematically eliminated from this season’s title contest after winning the championship from 2021 through 2024.

Verstappen said his overall pace was insufficient and that the available tyres were not right. He added that a late Virtual Safety Car may have helped him reach the podium.

Mercedes extends team advantage

Mercedes increased its lead in the constructors’ standings to 133 points over Ferrari. Mercedes has 607 points, while Ferrari has 474. Antonelli can clinch the drivers’ championship in Mexico next week if Russell does not win the race, according to the report. The championship is not yet decided, with five races still to run.