Formula 1: Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix in Texas, but he still has to wait to become world champion

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix, held in Texas, and is just 12 points away from his first Formula 1 world championship title. With five rounds remaining in the season, the Italian Mercedes driver leads the standings with 365 points.

Antonelli was followed across the finish line by Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen. George Russell, his main rival and Mercedes teammate, finished the race in eighth place, while Lewis Hamilton narrowly missed out on the podium.

Under these circumstances, Russell has 252 points, while Hamilton has 241. The calculation is based on the scenario in which Russell wins all five remaining races. Antonelli can mathematically secure the title at the Mexican Grand Prix, scheduled for November 1, if he finishes in the top four. The Italian has finished on the podium in 15 of the season’s races.

After his victory in Texas, Antonelli thanked the team for its one-stop strategy and said Mercedes is very close to achieving its goal. In the constructors’ standings, Mercedes leads with 578 points, ahead of Ferrari on 444, McLaren on 339, and Red Bull on 332.