Formula 1 heads to Austin, Texas, for the United States Grand Prix from October 23 to 25, with Kimi Antonelli arriving at the Circuit of the Americas with his first opportunity to secure the drivers’ championship.
The 20-year-old Mercedes driver leads teammate George Russell by 102 points, with Lewis Hamilton 111 points behind and Max Verstappen trailing by 119. Antonelli has eight wins this season and can clinch the title on Sunday if he wins the race, Russell finishes ninth or lower and Hamilton finishes fifth or lower.
Antonelli is on course to break the record as the youngest Formula 1 world champion, a mark that has stood for 16 years. Sebastian Vettel set the record in 2010 when he won his first world title at the age of 23.
A demanding circuit with a steep climb to Turn 1
The Circuit of the Americas first hosted Formula 1 in 2012 and has since become a regular fixture on the calendar. The 5.5-kilometer track combines long straights with fast corners, technical sequences and tight hairpins, creating several opportunities for overtaking.
The winding esses in the second sector draw inspiration from high-speed corners at circuits such as Silverstone and Hockenheim. One of the track’s most distinctive features is the steep uphill approach to Turn 1, where drivers must position their cars carefully for the opening corner.
Mercedes still leads, but Red Bull is closing in
Mercedes has dominated much of the 2026 season, but the gap to its rivals is narrowing. Red Bull, in particular, has emerged as a major threat, with Max Verstappen winning the last two Grands Prix at Sepang and Singapore.
Red Bull’s progress since the summer break has been steady, with the team regularly scoring points and securing podium finishes before delivering back-to-back victories.
Read also : Formula 1: Verstappen wins first Singapore Grand Prix as Antonelli moves closer to world title
Verstappen controlled both races, but his performance in Singapore was especially impressive. He took pole position for both the Sprint and the Grand Prix and converted both into wins, collecting the maximum 33 points available across the weekend. The result also gave him a memorable way to celebrate his 250th Formula 1 race, with a first victory at a circuit that had previously eluded him.
The team’s progress has followed its move to develop its own power unit. The FIA’s initial assessment identified Red Bull’s engine as the strongest in Formula 1, but the team still needed to bring the power unit, aerodynamics and chassis together into a competitive package. Its recent results suggest that work is paying off, with Red Bull now looking like one of the teams to beat.
Verstappen’s victories have lifted him to fourth in the drivers’ championship, just seven points behind Lewis Hamilton. Red Bull has also closed the gap in the constructors’ standings and could move ahead of McLaren this weekend. McLaren sits third on 339 points, only seven clear of Red Bull.
Mercedes remains in a strong position to secure both championships this season, but Red Bull’s recent resurgence is an important development to watch as the teams look ahead to 2027.
Who is likely to win?
Red Bull’s recent resurgence makes Max Verstappen a strong contender for the United States Grand Prix, particularly given his record at the Circuit of the Americas.
The Dutchman won from pole position in 2025, finishing ahead of McLaren’s Lando Norris. He has also won four of the last five editions held at the Austin circuit, triumphing in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2025. Charles Leclerc was the only driver to deny him during that period, taking victory in 2024.
Ferrari also showed encouraging pace in Singapore, while McLaren has struggled to match the leading teams in recent races.
Mercedes remains another strong contender for a sizeable points haul, with championship leader Kimi Antonelli looking to extend his advantage and move closer to securing the drivers’ title. Although clinching the championship in Austin remains a difficult prospect, a victory would strengthen his position and could bring him within reach of sealing the title as early as the Mexico City Grand Prix.
United States Grand Prix schedule (Moroccan time)
Friday, October 23
Free Practice 1: 17:30 – 18:30
Free Practice 2: 21:00 – 22:00
Saturday, October 24
Final Practice: 17:30 – 18:30
Qualifying: 21:00 – 22:00
Sunday, October 25
United States Grand Prix: 20:00
