How Antonelli could win F1 world title as soon as the next race

Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli has an outside opportunity to secure the 2026 Formula 1 World Championship at the United States Grand Prix on October 25. Following a third-place finish in the Singapore Grand Prix, the 20-year-old Italian extended his lead in the Drivers' Championship to 102 points with six races remaining in the season, positioning him to potentially become the youngest world champion in the history of the sport.

To seal the title in Austin, Antonelli must win the race while team-mate George Russell finishes ninth or lower and Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton finishes fifth or lower. A victory would give Antonelli a ninth win this season, ensuring he wins any tiebreaker on race countback even if Russell matches him on points across the final five rounds.