Sportsupdated 1h ago2 min read
Archive photo · 6 March 2026Kimi Antonelli Wins United States Grand Prix From Pole, Moves Toward F1 Title In Mexico City
“it was a narrative pushed by Formula One Management in a pathetic attempt”
“He fully deserves the world title that he is almost certain to clinch this weekend in Mexico City.”
Photo: Yu Chu Chin, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Cropped for layout
This article is an automated aggregation of coverage from news outlets. Our editorials offer in-depth analysis curated by the NewsCord team.
Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix from pole at Circuit of the Americas. Victory leaves Antonelli two points from the championship in Mexico City.
Antonelli wins in Austin
Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix from pole position at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, and Mercedes moved him to the brink of the 2026 Formula 1 world title. Antonelli will secure the title in Mexico City on Sunday by finishing ninth or higher.
Toto Wolff said Russell struggled in Austin to get the right set-up on the Mercedes with the new upgrade package, and Wolff added, "And that is on us." Antonelli won at the Circuit of The Americas by 13 seconds with Charles Leclerc finishing second after winning out against Red Bull's Max Verstappen, while Lewis Hamilton finished fourth and George Russell finished eighth.
Wolff, Russell, and the title
Toto Wolff told the BBC that Russell "is a champion and has won in every category and merits to be put in the group of the very best ones," while Wolff also described "variability in results" for Russell this year. George Russell said, "My pace just was rubbish today," after he finished eighth following an early five-second penalty, and the Straits Times said the penalty left him out of the title fight.
Antonelli leads with 365 points ahead of George Russell on 242 and Lewis Hamilton on 241, and it added that Antonelli will be champion if he finishes in the top nine. Max Verstappen has been mathematically eliminated from the 2026 World Championship after finishing third in Austin, leaving Verstappen fourth in the standings with 236 points.
Mexico City and what’s at risk
Antonelli said his mindset will not change as he heads to Mexico, and he told reporters, "The best way, the perfect way, would be to finish off in style and then just enjoy the rest of the season." Antonelli is 365 points ahead of nearest rival and teammate George Russell, with Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari another point adrift, and it said he will be champion if he finishes in the top nine in Mexico.
Antonelli is one step closer to becoming the new F1 world champion after winning the United States Grand Prix from pole position, and it said he will secure the title in Mexico City by finishing ninth or higher. Antonelli still needed to complete a 71-lap appointment at the Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez in Mexico City, and it framed the next race as the place where his title could be sealed.