2026 United States Grand Prix – Sunday

Three-Pointed Star Shines Brightest in Lone Star State as Kimi takes Stunning Win

United States Grand Prix, Sunday AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy and Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team celebrates with Champagne on the podium during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Sona Maleterova/Getty Images)

Kimi Antonelli took his ninth victory of the season in Sunday’s United States Grand Prix, putting him on the verge of sealing the Drivers’ World Championship in Mexico next weekend.
The race was shaped by the strategic decisions in the opening 15 laps, with Red Bull committing Max Verstappen to a two-stop strategy and both Ferraris following suit.
We trusted the degradation and lap times we were seeing and opted not to cover, committing Kimi and George to the one-stop strategy.
That proved to be the right call, as Kimi took the chequered flag 13 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc and Verstappen.
George endured a more difficult afternoon, struggling with the balance of the car and receiving a penalty following an incident on the opening lap.
Despite a strong start to his second stint, his progress was halted when he caught the McLaren of Piastri and was unable to find a way through.
Kimi’s victory is the team’s sixth at the Circuit of the Americas, following our wins in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019.
Pierluigi Orsi, Chief of Aerodynamic Technology, represented the team on the podium.
Kimi now leads the standings by 123 points meaning a P9 finish or higher will secure the title for him.

United States Grand Prix, Sunday AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 on track during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/LAT Images)

United States Grand Prix, Sunday

United States Grand Prix, Sunday AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 takes the chequered flag during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)

United States Grand Prix, Sunday AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Race winner Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 waves at the crowd as he returns to parc ferme during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Alex Slitz/LAT Images)

United States Grand Prix, Sunday AUSTIN, TEXAS – OCTOBER 25: Andrea Kimi Antonelli of Italy driving the (12) Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team W17 leads the field at the start during the F1 Grand Prix of United States at Circuit of The Americas on October 25, 2026 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Logan Riely/LAT Images)