Mercedes sensation Kimi Antonelli delivered another masterclass at the United States Grand Prix, but it was Monaco’s Charles Leclerc who provided some of the afternoon’s most exciting racing, storming past Max Verstappen to claim second place. And while the young Italian ace moved tantalisingly close to becoming Formula 1 World Champion, Ferrari had plenty to celebrate in Texas.
The cowboy hats were out, the engines were roaring, and Austin’s Circuit of the Americas provided another spectacular afternoon of Formula 1.
For 20-year-old Kimi Antonelli, Sunday 25 October was almost the perfect day. Starting from pole position, the young Mercedes star dominated the 56-lap race to claim his ninth victory of an extraordinary season.
But the champagne celebrations stopped just short of a World Championship coronation.
And behind the seemingly unstoppable Italian, Charles Leclerc was busy reminding everyone that Ferrari still knows how to fight.
Leclerc Gives Monaco Something to Cheer About
For Monaco’s favourite racing driver, Austin was a race of determination, clever strategy and some exhilarating overtaking.
Leclerc initially surged past Max Verstappen at the start, only for the Red Bull driver to reclaim the position before the opening lap was over.
But the Monegasque was far from finished.
As the race unfolded, differing tyre strategies shuffled the leading contenders, with Antonelli controlling proceedings while Ferrari, Red Bull and McLaren battled behind.
The real excitement came in the closing stages.
Lando Norris was struggling with fading tyres, allowing Verstappen to sweep past the McLaren. Leclerc quickly followed, before setting his sights on the four-time World Champion.
Then came the move Ferrari fans had been waiting for.
Leclerc overtook Verstappen to seize second place, completing an impressive late charge and securing his second consecutive runner-up finish.
He crossed the line just over 13 seconds behind Antonelli, with Verstappen relegated to third.
It was another reminder of Leclerc’s ability to extract a remarkable performance when the opportunity presents itself. An aggressive and entertaining performance that earned Charles a deserved vote as “Driver of the Day”.
Hamilton Adds to Ferrari’s Celebrations
Lewis Hamilton also enjoyed a productive afternoon.
Ferrari had shown impressive speed throughout the weekend, topping all three practice sessions, with Hamilton fastest in Saturday’s final session.
Although that pace was not quite enough to challenge Antonelli for victory, Hamilton fought his way into fourth place, overtaking Norris in the closing stages.
With Leclerc second and Hamilton fourth, Ferrari collected 30 valuable championship points.
More importantly, the Scuderia demonstrated that it could take the fight to Red Bull and McLaren, even if Mercedes remained frustratingly out of reach.
For Ferrari supporters, the result offered encouragement as the season enters its final stretch.
Antonelli: A Champion in Waiting
While Ferrari supplied much of the late-race excitement, Antonelli was in a class of his own.
The Mercedes driver made an excellent start, quickly established a comfortable advantage and managed his tyres brilliantly.
His one-stop strategy proved decisive against rivals who required two visits to the pits.
Even a late Virtual Safety Car, triggered when Valtteri Bottas stopped his Cadillac, failed to disturb his composure.
Antonelli crossed the finish line 13.078 seconds ahead of Leclerc, securing his ninth Grand Prix victory of 2026.
Yet there was one small disappointment.
He had arrived in Austin with the possibility of clinching the World Championship, but George Russell’s eighth-place finish and Hamilton’s fourth kept their mathematical hopes alive.
Antonelli now leads Russell by 123 points, with Hamilton just one point further behind.
With five Grands Prix remaining, the title is surely within touching distance.
A ninth-place finish or better in Mexico next weekend will be enough to crown Antonelli Formula 1’s youngest-ever World Champion, regardless of his rivals’ results.
McLaren Left Wondering What Went Wrong
For McLaren, Austin was considerably less satisfying.
Norris appeared well placed for a strong result before his ageing tyres left him vulnerable to a succession of late overtakes.
Verstappen, Leclerc and Hamilton all found a way past, leaving the British driver fifth.
His teammate Oscar Piastri endured an equally frustrating afternoon, finishing seventh.
Meanwhile, Verstappen salvaged third place for Red Bull, although he could do little to prevent Leclerc’s late attack.
George Russell, Antonelli’s Mercedes teammate and closest championship rival, finished a disappointing eighth after receiving a five-second penalty.
Mexico Awaits — and History Beckons
The Formula 1 circus now heads south to Mexico City, where Antonelli could finally complete one of the most remarkable championship campaigns in recent memory.
For Mercedes, the question is no longer whether its young Italian sensation can handle the pressure, but how soon he will secure the crown.
For Ferrari, Austin delivered something equally valuable: renewed confidence.
And for Charles Leclerc, another podium, another memorable battle with Verstappen and another demonstration that Monaco’s racing hero remains one of the most formidable competitors on the grid.
Antonelli may have won the race, but Leclerc made sure Austin had more than one star.
