Kimi Antonelli put on a dominant display at the United States Grand Prix in Austin, bagging his ninth win of the season and tightening his grip on the world championship. The Italian driver's victory at Circuit of the Americas wasn't enough to seal the title just yet, but it's put him in the driver's seat heading into Mexico City. With 365 points on the board, Antonelli's lead is so commanding that he's essentially got one hand on the trophy already.

More F1 news: Antonelli Wins at Austin but Championship Wait Continues to Mexico

What makes Antonelli's ninth victory particularly notable is that he's now matched a couple of absolute legends of the grid. He sits level with Charles Leclerc and Oscar Piastri in the record books for wins this season, cementing himself among the elite performers in 2026. For a driver putting together a championship-winning campaign, hitting that milestone mid-season shows just how consistently he's been delivering when it counts.

More F1 news: Ferrari Strengthens Constructor Grip as Hamilton Closes in on Russell After Austin

Behind Antonelli, the scramble for second place is getting spicy. George Russell sits second in the standings with 242 points, just one clear of Lewis Hamilton, who finished fourth in Austin. Max Verstappen, Leclerc, and Lando Norris are all within striking distance, but with Antonelli running away at the top, the real battle now is for bragging rights and the best runner-up finish. Russell's eighth-place finish at Austin didn't help his cause, but both Mercedes drivers know the title's already gone unless something major shifts.

More F1 news: Antonelli Dominates at Austin to Extend Championship Lead

On the constructors' side, Mercedes has built an almost unassailable advantage with 607 points. Ferrari's sitting second with 474, while Red Bull Racing and McLaren are locked together at 355 points each. It's Mercedes' championship to lose at this point, and with Antonelli carrying the load, that's looking increasingly unlikely. The focus now switches to Mexico City, where we should finally see if Antonelli can put the champagne on ice.

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