Antonelli wins in Austin and is one win from the title

Kimi Antonelli won the United States Grand Prix from pole. It was his ninth victory of the season. He led the first 24 laps, pitted and rejoined fourth. Max Verstappen led laps 25 to 31, until his own stop. On lap 32 Antonelli was back in front and stayed there to the flag, 13.078 seconds clear of Charles Leclerc.

Verstappen's race had plenty of turns. He stopped on lap 13 and rejoined eighth. Then he got to work: Russell on lap 18 for third, Hadjar on lap 23 for second. After his lap-31 stop he came out fifth, and on lap 47 he passed Lando Norris for second again. Two laps later Leclerc, who had stopped on laps 15 and 39, took the place from him. Verstappen finished third. Leclerc also set the fastest lap of the race, a 1:37.976 on lap 42.

Lewis Hamilton took fourth. Over the last ten laps he averaged 98.7 seconds, about 1.3 seconds a lap quicker than the top-ten average. The strategies were all over the place. Six of the 19 finishers ran SOFT-HARD, the most common plan, but the field split across eight different combinations. A year ago 13 of 19 ran MEDIUM-SOFT. There were virtual safety cars on lap 2 and on laps 51 to 53. George Russell finished eighth and picked up a five-second penalty for leaving the track and gaining a lasting advantage at Turn 12.

Ferrari brought a new floor, sidepod inlet and diffuser to Austin. Leclerc's second place and Hamilton's late pace may have owed something to them. McLaren also updated its front and rear corners and its diffuser.

Antonelli's lead over Russell grew from 102 to 123 points, 365 to 242, with five rounds and 125 points left. Verstappen and Leclerc are now out of the title fight. Only Antonelli, Russell and Hamilton can still win it. Antonelli's title chance is about 98 percent, and a win in the next round would clinch it.