By Joe Murphy
Kimi Antonelli took a commanding victory at the Circuit of the Americas and left Austin on the verge of a maiden world championship.
The Mercedes driver made the perfect start from pole. While Max Verstappen, starting alongside him on the softer tyre, bogged down slightly off the line, Antonelli built a lead on the run up the hill to Turn One and never really looked back.
It was not a straightforward lights to flag win. Mercedes committed to a one-stop strategy while Ferrari and Red Bull opted for two, which meant the lead changed hands through the middle part of the race as the pit cycles played out.
Antonelli lost the lead briefly after his only stop but was back in front when Verstappen suffered a slow second stop and Charles Leclerc came in for his final set of tyres. Once back in clean air, the Italian managed the gap with maturity beyond his years, controlling the pace through a late Virtual Safety Car and taking the chequered flag comfortably clear.
Leclerc finished second for Ferrari, the second weekend in a row he has done so. The Monegasque had strong pace in the final stint and passed Verstappen late on to secure the runner-up spot. Verstappen completed the podium for Red Bull after a race he described over the radio as a struggle for balance and communication.
Lewis Hamilton came home fourth for Ferrari, a result that proved crucial for the championship. It meant Antonelli, who arrived in Texas with a chance to clinch the title if results went his way, will have to wait at least another week. Hamilton’s points, combined with team-mate George Russell finishing eighth after recovering from a penalty on the opening lap, kept both mathematically alive.
Behind them, Lando Norris took fifth for McLaren after attempting to make a one-stop strategy work. He ran as high as second in the closing stages but his tyres faded badly. Isack Hadjar was sixth for Red Bull in another impressive showing, with Oscar Piastri seventh for McLaren, Russell eighth, Liam Lawson ninth for Racing Bulls and Pierre Gasly taking the final point for Alpine.
It was a difficult afternoon for several home favourites. Williams had both cars outside the points, Aston Martin struggled for pace throughout, and Cadillac’s race ended early when Valtteri Bottas stopped on track in the closing laps to bring out the Virtual Safety Car. Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman also retired.
The result means Antonelli leaves America with a commanding lead in the drivers’ standings and Mercedes close to wrapping up the constructors’ title. He has led the championship since May and has now won nine times this season.
The maths is simple heading to Mexico City. A couple of points will be enough. He did not get it done in Austin, but on this form it feels like a matter of when, not if.
