Antonelli eyes F1 title after ninth win as Verstappen jokes about track limits

Kimi Antonelli moved to the brink of the Formula 1 championship by winning the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas from pole position, his ninth victory of the 2026 season. The Mercedes driver can now seal the title with a top-nine finish at the Mexican Grand Prix.

Speaking in the post-race press conference, Antonelli was candid about the areas he still needs to address despite his dominant campaign. “It’s been a good surprise this season so far,” the Italian said. “It’s still not over. There are still a few races where I just want to do well and still try to fight for wins.”

Asked to identify specific low points, Antonelli did not shy away. “First of all, Australia FP3, the mistake. Japan, I had a bad execution at the start. Then Miami as well, the sprint race, just throwing away points with track limits. Track limits has been the bigger thing for me.”

He also pointed to mental approach as a recurring theme. “In some of the qualifying sessions, I just didn’t go in with the right mindset. So, yeah, just making sure I improve those.”

Four-time champion Max Verstappen, now mathematically eliminated from championship contention, was quick to poke fun at his rival’s track limits admission. “You had only one today,” Verstappen quipped, prompting Antonelli to laugh: “Yeah, only one! It was good today.”

Antonelli acknowledged the season is not yet finished and that he intends to keep pushing. “It would be good to finish on a high. But definitely looking back at the season, there are still things to work on and improve — on the mindset in certain situations or the way I handle a few scenarios.”

With the Mexican Grand Prix next on the calendar, Antonelli arrives as a heavy favourite to become Formula 1’s newest world champion, needing only to finish inside the top nine to make the title mathematically his.