Antonelli wins US Grand Prix to close on world title

Kimi Antonelli claimed an emphatic victory at the US Grand Prix in Austin, putting him closer to his first Formula One world championship title. The 20-year-old Italian secured his ninth win of the season, leaving only a ninth-place finish in the upcoming Mexican race to become the youngest ever champion. Mercedes teammate George Russell and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton secured the other podium spots, finishing eighth and fourth respectively.

Antonelli started the race in pole position and built a two-second lead by the end of the first lap. With mechanical failures and pit stop mishaps, the result was never in doubt. Charles Leclerc, who started in third position, reclaimed second place and overtook Verstappen for third. If Russell had finished lower than eighth and Hamilton failed to make the top four, Antonelli would have achieved the record of Sebastian Vettel, who won his first title at 23 years and 133 days old.