Kimi Antonelli needs two points to win the 2026 F1 world championship

Kimi Antonelli is on the verge of making Formula 1 history after moving within two points of securing the 2026 drivers’ world championship. The Mercedes driver strengthened his position with a dominant victory at the United States Grand Prix in Austin and could clinch the title at the Mexico City Grand Prix on November 1.

The 20-year-old Italian claimed his ninth win of the season in Texas, finishing ahead of Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen. George Russell finished eighth, while Lewis Hamilton crossed the line in fourth, meaning neither result was poor enough to allow Antonelli to seal the championship early. Nevertheless, his lead has grown to 123 points over Russell and 124 over Hamilton, leaving his rivals with only a mathematical chance of catching him.

Antonelli can secure the title in Mexico by finishing ninth or higher, as that result would earn him the two points he needs. Even a tenth-place finish could be enough if neither Russell nor Hamilton wins the race. With only five race weekends remaining after Austin, the championship leader is firmly in control of his destiny.

If he becomes champion, Antonelli will break Sebastian Vettel’s record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion. Vettel was 23 years and 134 days old when he won his first title in 2010, while Antonelli is just 20. He would also become the first Italian to win the drivers’ championship since Alberto Ascari in 1953, ending a 73-year wait for Italian fans. Despite being so close to the milestone, Antonelli has insisted that he intends to approach the Mexican weekend as usual and continue pushing for another strong result.