Kimi Antonelli is ready to put the finishing touches to a remarkable Formula 1 breakthrough, with the Mercedes sensation admitting his maiden world championship is now “very close” after his commanding victory in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix.
The 20-year-old Italian strengthened his grip on the 2026 title in Austin on Sunday, combining a blistering start from pole position with a measured drive and impeccable strategic execution to claim his ninth Grand Prix win of the season.
With team-mate George Russell managing only eighth at the Circuit of the Americas, Antonelli stretched his championship advantage to a formidable 123 points.
He now heads to next weekend’s Mexico City Grand Prix knowing that the finish line of his title-winning campaign is finally within sight.
Should he collect the necessary points in Mexico, Antonelli will become Formula 1’s youngest-ever world champion, capping a sensational season with a place in the record books.
Antonelli’s triumph at COTA was built on speed, composure and a Mercedes strategy that left its rivals scrambling to respond.
After holding his advantage at the start, the Italian resisted the early threat from Max Verstappen before Mercedes committed to a one-stop strategy.
While Red Bull’s two-stop gamble ultimately unravelled, Antonelli kept his tyres under control and steadily pulled clear of the chasing pack.
Charles Leclerc finished second, more than 13 seconds behind the winner, with Verstappen completing the podium. Neither could seriously threaten Antonelli’s control of the race in its closing stages.
For the young Mercedes driver, however, the result meant considerably more than another trophy.
It was the payoff for months of development work on the team’s latest package, and a demonstration of how effectively Mercedes had brought its improvements together when the pressure was on.
Reflecting on the victory, Antonelli was quick to share the credit with the people behind his success.
“It was the result we needed. The whole team deserves it so much and all this time putting in so much work on bringing this new package and finally seeing the result is very pleasant,” he said.
“It was also perfect execution from strategy to call the one-stop so I’m really happy we made it stick, and it was a great team effort.”
Antonelli can secure the title in Mexico City provided he does not surrender more than 23 points to Russell or 24 to Lewis Hamilton over the next round.
For a driver who began the season with plenty to prove, the prospect of sealing a first world championship at just 20 is an extraordinary one.
Yet Antonelli is determined to approach the decisive weekend with the same focus that has carried him to the brink of history.
“We're very close but we’ll try to finish on a high, and hopefully we can clinch it very soon,” he said.
“I’m very excited. I would love to clinch the title in style with a great result. That’s the mindset. That’s always the mindset, and that’s what the mindset is going to be from now until the end of the season.
“I’m just going to try to enjoy every moment because they’re moments that will always be remembered.”
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