The 20-year-old Italian converted pole position into his ninth Grand Prix victory of the season, delivering a composed performance at the Circuit of the Americas to lead Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen across the finish line.

Antonelli completed the 56-lap race in 1 hour, 35 minutes and 16.650 seconds, crossing the line 13.078 seconds ahead of Leclerc, while Verstappen finished a further 4.407 seconds behind in third.

Charles Leclerc, Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Kimi Antonelli. Photo: F1

The Mercedes driver made an excellent start to retain the lead into the opening corner, immediately putting pressure on his rivals to keep pace. While Verstappen remained a threat during the early stages, Antonelli steadily built his advantage and demonstrated impressive control under pressure.

Mercedes’ strategic call also proved decisive. Antonelli made a single pit stop, switching from medium to hard tyres before rejoining the race and working his way back to the front. While several of his competitors opted for different strategies, the young Italian managed his tyres effectively and maintained a comfortable margin through the closing stages.

Even a late Virtual Safety Car interruption failed to unsettle him, as Antonelli kept his composure to secure another significant result in a season that has increasingly belonged to him.

The McLarens of Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri. Photo: F1

“It was the result we needed,” Antonelli said after the race, praising the efforts of the Mercedes team and the execution of its strategy.

Leclerc produced a strong late-race charge to claim second place for Ferrari, while Verstappen had to settle for third after battling with his rivals throughout the afternoon.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris in fifth. Isack Hadjar secured sixth for Red Bull, with Oscar Piastri seventh for McLaren.

Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. Photo: F1

Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate, George Russell, endured a more difficult afternoon and finished eighth after a five-second penalty, leaving him with valuable points lost in the championship battle.

The result means Antonelli now leads Russell by 123 points, with Hamilton a further point behind the Briton. However, the Italian was unable to clinch the title in Texas, with Hamilton’s fourth-place finish and Russell’s eighth place keeping the championship mathematically alive.

The championship could nevertheless be decided at next weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix. Antonelli needs only to finish ninth or better to guarantee the title, regardless of his closest rivals’ results.

Should he achieve that feat, Antonelli would become Formula 1’s youngest world champion, marking a remarkable milestone in only his second season in the sport.

For now, the young Mercedes star can celebrate another accomplished drive in Austin, with the prospect of making history firmly within reach.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek cvs