Mercedes' 20-year-old Italian Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix by 13 seconds and now stands just two points away from becoming the youngest champion in Formula 1 history. His ninth victory of the season, earned in Austin on a one-stop strategy, stretched his lead over team-mate George Russell to 123 points and over Lewis Hamilton to 124, with a maximum of 125 points still up for grabs. Consequently, a ninth-place finish at the next race, the Mexico City Grand Prix, would be enough to seal the title officially. The finish line is in sight. "We are very close... We try to finish on a high and hopefully we can clinch it very soon," the Italian acknowledged.
Further back, Ferrari's Charles Leclerc took second after passing Red Bull's Max Verstappen at Turn 12 on lap 49, leaving the Dutchman to settle for third. George Russell, meanwhile, had to make do with eighth after a five-second penalty for a first-lap incident with Oscar Piastri. Notably, Antonelli's pole position was his first in eight races, since the Belgian Grand Prix in July.
