Formula 1 is in Austin, Texas, this weekend, and we have the potential for history to be made at the Circuit of the Americas.The title battle between the Mercedes drivers, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell, has a significant point difference between them, and if things go his way, the Mercedes rookie can take his first championship this weekend itself.
However, the conditions are pretty tight and have a low chance of succeeding, but mathematically, it is very possible.
Antonelli gets first shot at F1 title as Verstappen targets third straight win
Kimi Antonelli has his first chance to become Formula One’s youngest world champion this weekend, but the Mercedes driver needs several results to go his way to clinch the title in Austin.
With six rounds left, including Austin, the 20-year-old leads teammate George Russell by 102 points heading into the United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). He must win on Sunday, with Russell finishing ninth or lower and Lewis Hamilton fifth or lower, to secure his maiden title.
Russell, who began the season as the title favourite against his less experienced teammate, will be determined to keep his slim championship hopes alive after a difficult weekend in Singapore.
He crashed out of the Sprint race while leading before starting Sunday's Grand Prix from the back of the grid due to an engine penalty. He recovered to ninth to pick up some points.
Meanwhile, Antonelli has built a commanding lead despite going three races without a win. He finished fifth in Azerbaijan before taking second in Malaysia and third in Singapore. He remains comfortably ahead of the chasing pack.
Verstappen is finding form at the business end
Max Verstappen arrives in Austin after winning the last two Grand Prix, in Malaysia and Singapore.
The Dutchman sits fourth in the standings, 119 points behind the championship leader. It's unlikely to think of a 2025-style title charge, but Verstappen has given himself and Red Bull a chance to finish the season strongly after a difficult start.
He won last year's race and has enjoyed several memorable battles at the circuit, including their 2021 title battle with Lewis Hamilton and his controversial duel with Lando Norris in 2024. Norris received a five-second time penalty for leaving the track and gaining an advantage while passing Verstappen, dropping him behind the Red Bull driver at the end of the race.
Verstappen will be targeting a third consecutive Grand Prix victory and a fifth win at COTA overall.
Some COTA numbers
COTA's mix of fast corners and slower, traction-heavy sections will test car balance, while three straight-mode zones will offer drivers plenty of opportunities to overtake.
COTA will have ↗︎two Straight Mode zones. One is on the start/finish straight (Turn 20-1), and the other is on the back straight (Turn 11-12).
The first COTA Grand Prix was in 2012, when Lewis Hamilton took his final McLaren victory before moving to Mercedes for the 2013 season. He is also the most successful driver at the track in terms of wins, with a total of five.
Ferrari's Charles Leclerc has the lap record with a time of 1:36.169 in 2019.
