Story perspectives

Antonelli wins Austin, closing on F1 title clinch

By Drooid · Oct 26, 2026, 10:27 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Antonelli Wins USGP

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) won the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
He posted a 1:35:16.650 lap, beating Charles Leclerc by 13.078 seconds.
The victory was his ninth of 2026, extending his lead to 123 points over Russell.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called it Antonelli’s best race, a ‘champion-not-yet’ performance.
He must finish ninth in Mexico City to clinch the championship, with five races remaining.

Summary

Russell Penalized

George Russell received a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage after leaving the track, dropping him to eighth place.
Texas law bars the 20-year-old champion from drinking champagne on the podium, requiring a delayed celebration.
Senator Ted Cruz presented Antonelli’s trophy, prompting boos that turned to cheers when the driver lifted it.

Summary

Verstappen Decries Bumps

Max Verstappen said the COTA bumps are unacceptable and could damage drivers’ spines.
Lando Norris takes headache tablets before sessions because the track’s roughness hurts his head.
The Austin circuit sits on marshland, creating uneven surfaces that impact drivers’ spines.
Officials have only applied temporary plaster fixes despite repeated driver safety concerns.
The track’s contract runs until 2034, delaying costly redesigns that drivers say would require much money and time.

History

Historical Context

The 1994 San Marino Grand Prix, held on 1 May 1994, ended with Ayrton Senna’s fatal crash, prompting sweeping FIA safety reforms. The FIA, under President Max Mosley, introduced mandatory crash-test standards that reduced car weight by 15 kg and limited cockpit opening sizes. Today's Austin circuit, where Mercedes rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli won, mirrors those safety debates as drivers like Max Verstappen and Lando Norris decry the bumpy marshland surface. If the FIA applies the 1994-era mandate, the track may face a $200 million redesign before the 2034 contract expires, reshaping U.S. Grand Prix safety standards.

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Antonelli Wins USGP

Andrea Kimi Antonelli (Mercedes) won the United States Grand Prix in Austin.
He posted a 1:35:16.650 lap, beating Charles Leclerc by 13.078 seconds.
The victory was his ninth of 2026, extending his lead to 123 points over Russell.
Mercedes boss Toto Wolff called it Antonelli’s best race, a ‘champion-not-yet’ performance.
He must finish ninth in Mexico City to clinch the championship, with five races remaining.

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