Kimi Antonelli Wins US GP as Leclerc Beats Verstappen to Second

Kimi Antonelli claimed his ninth Grand Prix victory of the 2026 Formula 1 season with a commanding performance at the United States Grand Prix in Austin. The Mercedes driver finished 13.078 seconds ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, while Max Verstappen took third.

Starting from pole, Antonelli held his lead through the opening lap and built a gap to Verstappen. Mercedes then committed to a one-stop strategy, allowing the Italian to manage his tyres and maintain control until the chequered flag.

Leclerc Makes a Late Charge

Ferrari’s Leclerc secured second place after passing Lando Norris and Verstappen in the closing stages. Verstappen had recovered from a difficult start but faced further issues with his Red Bull, eventually settling for third.

Lewis Hamilton finished fourth, giving Ferrari a strong points haul, while Norris settled for fifth after struggling with tyre wear. Red Bull’s Isack Hadjar finished sixth, followed by McLaren’s Oscar Piastri in seventh.

Championship Fight Continues

Mercedes’ George Russell finished eighth after receiving a five-second penalty for gaining an advantage after leaving the track during a battle with Piastri.

The top 10 was completed by Liam Lawson and Pierre Gasly. Meanwhile, Valtteri Bottas, Franco Colapinto and Ollie Bearman retired from the race.

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Final Take

Antonelli’s victory strengthens his position in the Drivers’ Championship, although the title remains undecided. His ability to make the one-stop strategy work proved decisive in Austin, while Leclerc’s late moves ensured Ferrari finished on the podium. Verstappen’s third place extended his run of podium finishes to six consecutive races, keeping him firmly in the fight at the front.