Kimi Antonelli wins US Grand Prix but championship remains open
Antonelli won in the United States, but Hamilton’s fourth and Russell’s eighth mean the championship will be decided in Mexico next week.
Kimi Antonelli claimed victory at the United States round of the Formula 1 championship, taking first place in a tense race in Austin.
Despite the win, Antonelli did not secure the season title. For the championship to be decided in his favour today, Lewis Hamilton needed to finish lower than fifth; Hamilton crossed the line in fourth. George Russell finished eighth, but that was not enough to hand Antonelli the crown.
How the result fell short
Charles Leclerc finished second in the race, while Max Verstappen took third. Those placings, combined with Hamilton’s fourth and Russell’s eighth, meant Antonelli extended his points lead but must wait for the next round to know whether he will be champion.
The title fight has now been pushed to the next race on the calendar: the Mexican Grand Prix, scheduled for next week, where Antonelli will have another opportunity to close out the championship.
Sunday’s result keeps the championship alive and sets up a high-stakes showdown in Mexico, with teams and drivers recalibrating strategy as the season heads toward its conclusion.
Photo: press material from the event
