Antonelli can clinch the title in Austin: win, with Russell ninth or lower
Kimi Antonelli can clinch the 2026 drivers' title in Austin at next Sunday's United States Grand Prix (25 October). Winning alone is not enough: George Russell and Lewis Hamilton must also finish low enough. It would bring the title decision forward from Mexico City, making it the main storyline of the Austin weekend.
The conditions: win, Russell ninth or lower, Hamilton fifth or lower
Read Motorsport and Grand Prix.com give the same conditions. Antonelli must win in Austin, Russell must finish ninth or lower, and Hamilton fifth or lower. After the Singapore GP, Antonelli leads on 340 points, with Russell second on 238 (102 behind) and Hamilton third on 229 (111 behind). Max Verstappen has 221, Charles Leclerc 215 and Lando Norris 201.
Austin is a standard weekend with no sprint, so the winner takes 25 points. After Austin, 125 points will remain. If Antonelli wins and moves to 365, Russell in ninth (240) would be exactly 125 behind, and Hamilton in fifth (239) would be 126 behind.
Level on points with Russell, wins decide it
A 125-point gap with Russell in ninth equals the points left, so Russell could still tie by winning every remaining race. According to Grand Prix.com, Antonelli has eight wins to Russell's three, so he would win the tie on race wins. A win in Austin would make it nine. If Russell finishes eighth or higher, the fight goes on, and Hamilton in fourth (241) also keeps it alive.
Verstappen, Leclerc and Norris are eliminated if Antonelli wins. Both outlets say that even second place (18 points) would leave Verstappen on 239, 126 behind, out of reach. Conversely, if Antonelli only finishes second, the title stays open even if Russell scores nothing. Grand Prix.com says winning alone will not do it, while Read Motorsport calls victory the simplest route.
Remaining calendar and Antonelli's reaction
| Round | Date |
|---|---|
| United States (Austin) | 25 October |
| Mexico City | 1 November |
| São Paulo | 8 November |
| Las Vegas | 21 November |
| Qatar | 29 November |
| Abu Dhabi | 6 December |
If it is not settled in Austin, the next chance is Mexico City. Asked whether he could clinch in Austin, Antonelli replied "Can I? Really?", Read Motorsport reported. The Circuit of The Americas weekend runs 23–25 October.