{
  "id": 15983347,
  "title": "Verstappen bids to delay Antonelli’s F1 coronation in US",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/verstappen-bids-to-delay-antonellis-f1-coronation-in-us-15983347",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-22T00:53:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/22/verstappen-bids-to-delay-antonelli-s-f1-coronation-in-us"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Max Verstappen aims to thwart Kimi Antonelli's pursuit of an F1 championship title during the upcoming United States Grand Prix. The Dutch driver has secured seven podium finishes in his past eight races, including two victories, but trails the championship leader by 119 points in fourth place. Antonelli, the 29-year-old Italian, is just four years younger than Sebastian Vettel when he set the record for the youngest champion in 2010. To claim the title in Texas, Antonelli needs to win and have Mercedes' George Russell fail to finish in the top nine, while Lewis Hamilton must not secure a top-four position. Ferrari's deputy team principal, Bradley Lord, likened the situation to tennis, where Italy's last champion was Alberto Ascari for the Ferrari team. Verstappen, who won the Circuit of the Americas last year, remains cautious about his chances, stating that he doesn't want to predict winning the title at this stage. However, the Italian acknowledges that the stars have aligned in his favor, and he must stay focused and race to victory.",
  "summary": "Red Bull's four-time world champion seeks a third consecutive win after emerging as a leading contender with victories at the Bahrain and Singapore GPs.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Verstappen bids to delay Antonelli’s F1 coronation in US",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/22/verstappen-bids-to-delay-antonellis-f1-coronation-in-us",
        "published": "2026-10-22T00:53:14.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}