20-year-old Kimi Antonelli led every lap in Austin — and stands one race from history

Kimi Antonelli started the United States Grand Prix in Austin from pole position and simply never gave the lead away — leading all 56 laps and winning by 13 seconds over Charles Leclerc, with Max Verstappen third. It was the 20-year-old Italian Mercedes driver's ninth win of the season, and it stretched his championship lead to 123 points (365 to teammate George Russell's 242). One more small step remains: finish ninth or better in Mexico City and Antonelli becomes the youngest world champion in Formula 1 history — and the first Italian champion since Alberto Ascari in 1953. 'I know we're very close,' he said. 'We've turned the page on a high, and hopefully we can clinch it very soon.' Mercedes, meanwhile, already has its prize: Antonelli and Russell's results clinched the Constructors' Championship.