Kimi Antonelli delivered another remarkable performance at the United States Grand Prix, securing his ninth Formula 1 victory of the 2026 season and moving closer to his first Drivers’ Championship title.
Starting from pole position at the Circuit of The Americas, the Mercedes driver immediately established control after Max Verstappen struggled during the opening moments. The Italian maintained his advantage throughout the 56 lap contest, combining impressive pace with intelligent tyre management.
Mercedes opted for a single pit stop strategy, allowing Antonelli to extend his opening stint on medium tyres before switching to the harder compound. His disciplined approach proved decisive against competitors who required additional stops.
Despite a late Virtual Safety Car interruption, Antonelli crossed the finish line 13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc.
Leclerc secured second place following a crucial late overtake, recording his second successive runner up finish. Verstappen completed the podium despite experiencing technical difficulties with his Red Bull.
Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, providing Ferrari with another valuable result, while McLaren’s Lando Norris settled for fifth after struggling with tyre wear.
Isack Hadjar claimed sixth position, followed by Oscar Piastri in seventh. Mercedes driver George Russell endured a challenging afternoon and finished eighth, with Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly completing the top ten.
Further down the classification, Nico Hulkenberg finished eleventh, ahead of Arvid Lindblad and Gabriel Bortoleto.
The race also witnessed three retirements, involving Franco Colapinto, Ollie Bearman and Valtteri Bottas. Bottas triggered the closing Virtual Safety Car period after stopping his Cadillac.
Antonelli’s latest success highlighted his growing maturity and consistency under pressure. With another commanding result added to his campaign, the young Italian continues building momentum towards a potentially historic championship triumph.
