Lando Norris eliminated, and it marks a surprising 28-year low for Formula 1

Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lando Norris was mathematically eliminated from title contention at the United States Grand Prix. Norris finished fifth at Circuit of the Americas, falling 154 points behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli with only 125 points remaining across the final five races. Red Bull's Max Verstappen and Ferrari's Charles Leclerc were also eliminated from championship contention following Antonelli's ninth victory of the 2026 season.

Norris's exit marks the earliest elimination for a reigning Formula 1 champion since 1998, when Jacques Villeneuve was eliminated with five races left. Antonelli now holds a commanding 123-point lead in the standings and has an opportunity to clinch the drivers' world championship at the Mexico City Grand Prix at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.