F1 Austin: Antonelli wins, world title within reach in Mexico

Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) won the United States Grand Prix in Austin, his ninth victory of the season, ahead of Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) and Max Verstappen (Red Bull). The 20-year-old started from pole. He is not yet world champion, but his lead is so large that the title can be decided at the next round, in Mexico.

United States GP result in Austin

According to the FIA, Antonelli completed the 56 laps in 1:35'16.650. Here is the top 10:

• 1. Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes), 1:35'16.650;
• 2. Charles Leclerc (Ferrari), +13.078;
• 3. Max Verstappen (Red Bull), +17.485;
• 4. Lewis Hamilton (Ferrari), +18.515;
• 5. Lando Norris (McLaren), +30.521;
• 6. Isack Hadjar (Red Bull), +34.373;
• 7. Oscar Piastri (McLaren), +52.674;
• 8. George Russell (Mercedes), +54.303;
• 9. Liam Lawson (Racing Bulls), +1'19.183;
• 10. Pierre Gasly (Alpine), +1'27.516.

Nico Hülkenberg (Audi) was eleventh. Arvid Lindblad, twelfth, and the cars behind him were classified a lap down.

A controlled win on a one-stop strategy

Antonelli took the lead at the start and had built a gap of about two seconds when Verstappen pitted. Mercedes brought him in only once, at the end of lap 24, which gave the team a strategic edge. A virtual safety car for Valtteri Bottas's stoppage did not lead the team to call him in.

Red Bull had a harder afternoon: Verstappen reported his car as undriveable mid-race and made a second stop. Leclerc, who also stopped a second time, passed Verstappen for second place. Verstappen then overtook Norris on lap 47.

Penalties and retirements

• George Russell was given 5 seconds for leaving the track and gaining an advantage against the McLarens on lap one. He served it at his pit stop and recovered to eighth.
• Oliver Bearman was penalised 10 seconds after a collision with Pierre Gasly and retired on lap 24 with damage.
• Franco Colapinto (lap 35) and Valtteri Bottas (lap 48) also retired.
• Contact between Alex Albon and Fernando Alonso hurt both drivers' races.

Championship: the title draws closer

Antonelli leads his team-mate George Russell by 123 points. Lewis Hamilton is one point behind Russell, on 124. There are 125 points left across five rounds: Mexico, São Paulo, Las Vegas, Qatar and Abu Dhabi. Only Russell and Hamilton can still mathematically beat Antonelli.

Autosport and RaceFans both describe the title in Mexico as all but certain. For the decision to be put off, Russell would have to take 24 points out of Antonelli in Mexico, which means winning while his team-mate finishes no higher than tenth. The Mexican Grand Prix is on the weekend after Austin; if Antonelli is crowned, he becomes the youngest world champion in F1 history.