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Can Kimi Antonelli win F1 championship at USGP? How to watch Austin race

Nairavoice · Oct 25, 2026 · 3 min read

Formula 1 history could be made at the 2026 United States Grand Prix.

Kimi Antonelli could become the youngest champion ever if he wins the race in Austin, with some help. If the 20-year-old driver takes the checkered flag at the Circuit of the Americas, he also needs his Mercedes teammate, George Russell, to finish ninth or lower and F1 legend Lewis Hamilton to finish fifth or lower in order to win the title.

Antonelli’s weekend is trending positively so far. He earned pole position in qualifying and will line up alongside four-time USGP winner Max Verstappen. Verstappen’s Red Bull Racing teammate and Antonelli’s fellow sophomore, Isack Hadjar, will start third.

Antonelli would pass Sebastian Vettel, who won his first championship in 2010 at the age of 23, to hold the record. Antonelli previously set records for youngest driver to lead the championship, to start a race on pole position and to win the esteemed Monaco Grand Prix.

Even though the competition continues to be intense, the drivers and teams always have fun enjoying the sights and sounds of Texas, dressing up in cowboy hats and eating barbecue. Russell drew comparisons to Woody from “Toy Story” with his Western ensemble this week ahead of the race. Cadillac will be racing in a livery that looks like it was embroidered.

The United States Grand Prix started racing in Austin in 2012 and is the longest-running competition of the three races in the United States. Hamilton holds the record for most wins at COTA with five and he captured his sixth F1 title in 2019 with a second-place finish there. Verstappen is sneaking up on him and has won four United States Grand Prix races, including last year’s.

How to watch the F1 United States Grand Prix

Time: 4 p.m. ET
Date: Sunday, Oct. 25
Location: Circuit of the Americas in Austin
TV/Stream: Apple TV

Who is still in contention to win the F1 Drivers Championship?

There are five drivers still in contention for the 2026 F1 Drivers Championship, including Antonelli and Russell. The Mercedes drivers are in first and second place in the standings, respectively.

It’s a long shot, but Hamilton could still win his record-breaking eighth championship. Verstappen, who won the Singapore Grand Prix, is also still in the running after winning the last two races. Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, Charles Leclerc, is the last driver that could win the championship. It would be his first title.

Heading into the United States Grand Prix, there are six races left.

2026 F1 United States Grand Prix starting grid

Antonelli starts on pole position for the 2026 F1 United States Grand Prix, giving him the best chance of winning the race and capturing his first championship.