Antonelli can clinch the title at the United States Grand Prix in Austin

Andrea Kimi Antonelli can win the drivers' championship at the United States Grand Prix, which will be held at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin on 25 October at 20:00 UK time. According to Auto Action, the Mercedes driver, who has 340 points, must win the race and needs George Russell, his team-mate on 238 points, to finish ninth or lower. PlanetF1 reports that Toto Wolff does not expect the title to be settled in Austin.

When and where is the United States Grand Prix?

The United States Grand Prix will take place at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, USA. Lights out is scheduled for 20:00 on 25 October, UK time, according to Jolpica F1.

No qualifying result is available yet, so the starting grid is not yet known. Auto Action notes that Antonelli has qualified on pole position six times this season. The grid will be confirmed after qualifying, and it will shape how the title scenarios play out in the race.

Can Antonelli win the championship in Austin?

Auto Action reports that Antonelli must win in Austin to secure the title this weekend. The same outlet adds that Russell must finish ninth or lower for Antonelli to clinch the championship.

PlanetF1 says Russell needs to finish eighth or better to keep title hopes alive. It also reports that Antonelli would win a tie-break scenario because Antonelli has more season victories. Auto Action adds that Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris are eliminated if Antonelli wins in Austin.

How do the drivers' standings look before Austin?

Antonelli leads the drivers' standings for Mercedes with 340 points and 8 wins. Russell is second for Mercedes with 238 points and 3 wins, and Lewis Hamilton of Ferrari is third with 229 points and 1 win.

Max Verstappen of Red Bull has 221 points and 2 wins, Charles Leclerc of Ferrari has 215 points and 1 win, and Lando Norris of McLaren has 201 points and 2 wins. Oscar Piastri of McLaren is seventh with 138 points and no wins, while Auto Action notes that Antonelli has banked his 340 points after 17 rounds of the 2026 season.

Who leads the constructors' championship?

Mercedes lead the constructors' standings with 578 points and 11 wins. Antonelli and Russell, first and second in the drivers' standings, both race for Mercedes. Ferrari are second with 444 points and 2 wins.

McLaren are third with 339 points and 2 wins, while Red Bull are fourth with 332 points and 2 wins. RB F1 Team follow in fifth place with 100 points, and Alpine F1 Team are sixth with 68 points. Haas F1 Team are seventh with 30 points.

What are Wolff and the media saying ahead of the race?

PlanetF1 reports that Toto Wolff does not expect Antonelli to seal the title in Austin. Wolff suggests Antonelli should focus on race performance rather than championship maths, and believes the team must avoid losing points to rivals.

Auto Action says Antonelli has achieved 14 podium finishes this season and that 150 points remain available across the final six scheduled Grands Prix. PlanetF1 also notes that a potential calendar change could reduce the total points available this season.

The numbers at Scorely

Drivers' championship

Constructors' championship

Data source: Jolpica (Formula 1 Ergast API); calculation and table by Scorely.